Protective role of fennel oil against polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs] induced oxidative stress in rats

ABSTRACT

Polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs] are environmental contaminants that have been widely used for various industrial purposes. Human and animals are exposed to PCBs via oral ingestion of contaminated food. PCBs were found to induce reproductive toxicity, immune suppression, birth defects, cancer, developmental and behavioral changes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective role of fennel oil against PCBs toxicity. Forty male Sprague- Dawley rats were divided into four groups, control group, group treated with PCBs [250 micro g/kg b.w] and the groups treated with fennel oil [5mg/kg b.w.] alone or in combination with PCBs for 15 days. The results indicated that treatment with PCBs resulted in a significant increase in ALT, AST, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, TNFa., LPO, NO and CEA, whereas it significantly decreased GPX and SOD. Histopathological examination of the liver, kidney and testis showed severe histological changes. Animals treated with fennel oil alone or plus PCBs were comparable to the controls regarding the biochemical parameters or the histological picture of liver, kidney and testis. It could be concluded that fennel oil has a protective effect against PCBs toxicity. Moreover, the oil was safe and may be used pharmaceutically to protect against the hazardous effects of PCBs