Egyptian artichoke volatile compounds: protect against lead-induced hepatic and renal toxicity in male rats

ABSTRACT

Lead is a widely used chemical for the preparation of a number of industry and household-based products. The toxicity of lead compounds, like all other heavy metals, has been implicated in the etiology of different disorders in humans. The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of Egyptian artichoke against the hepatorenal toxicity of lead in male albino rats. Twenty three compounds were identified as volatile compounds of artichoke with benzeneacetaldehyde and selinene as major constituents, 19.97% and 16.80% respectively. Four groups of rats were used, group 1 to serve as control, group 2 intraperitoneal injected with lead acetate [20 mg/kg B.W], group 3 lead injected rats given artichoke head extract with drinking water [10 g/1 liter] and group 4 lead injected rats given artichoke leaves extract. The experiment continued for 30 days. The plasma total protein, cholesterol, urea and creatinein were determined. The activities of each of Alanine aminotansferase [ALT] aspartate amino transferase [AST], gamma-glutamyltransferase [gamma-GT] were followed. The level of plasma oxidation products of malondialdehyde was estimated. The histopathological changes were examined. Artichoke [leaves or head] co-treatment to the lead - administered rats attenuated the increase of ALT, AST, gamma-GT activities. Also the change in cholesterol, urea, creatinine and protein levels was less marked. The values reported were near to normal. In addition, the morphological damage in the liver and kidney was reduced and the tissues appeared like those of controls. The present study suggests that, because the presence of volatile constituents with antioxidative properties, artichoke may be useful in combating damaging effect of lead toxicity