Flaxseed oil ameliorates mercuric chloride-induced liver damage in rats.

BACKGROUND: Mercury is a relentless pollutant, and its toxicity contributes to significant health problems due to exposure to the environment. The present study has determined the impact of flaxseed oil on mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-mediated hepatic oxidative toxicity in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy male Wistar rats were divided into four groups with six animals in each group. Group-A was the Control group treated with saline; Group-B received 1.0 ml oral dosage of flaxseed oil; Group-C was given 200 µl intraperitoneal injection of HgCl2, and Group-D received 1.0 ml oral dosage of flaxseed oil (one hour after treatment with 200 µl intraperitoneal injection of HgCl2. RESULTS: Mercuric chloride (HgCl2) increased the production of malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), and the concentration of HgCl2 in the liver tissue with a simultaneous decrease in the activities of Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Furthermore, serum HgCl2 elevated the activity of alanine transaminase (ALT) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Histopathological changes showed that liver injury was caused by mercuric chloride. Treatment with flaxseed oil ameliorated ROS production and reversed enzymes in serum and liver. Also, a noticeable improvement was observed in all the histopathological characteristics in the rats. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study concluded that flaxseed oil had an outstanding remedial effect on mercuric chloride-mediated hepatic cytotoxicity.

Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside protects against cadmium-induced oxidative stress-mediated renal toxicity in rats.

BACKGROUND: Cadmium is a well known environmental pollutant and strong toxic heavy metal, that causes oxidative damage to various organs of the body, including the kidney. Cadmium (II) chloride (CdCl2) is a water-soluble crystalline form, which exhibits a higher affinity with chlorides at the target site. The current study examined the protective effects of Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), a principal lignan extracted from flaxseeds against CdCl2-induced renal toxicity in rats. METHODS: Twenty four healthy male Wistar rats with four groups of six animals each were used in the study. Group-1- Control was administered with saline. Group-2 -was treated with SDG; Group-3 with CdCl2 alone, and Group-4 were treated with CdCl2 plus SDG. The effect of Cd on kidney was assessed in terms of various parameters like lipid peroxidation, production of Nitric oxide (NO) and Myeloperoxidase (MPO), and kidney function markers like uric acid, urea, and creatinine. The levels of antioxidant molecules like glutathione content and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase were also measured, apart from histopathological studies. RESULTS: The animals that received CdCl2, exhibited changes in the concentration of Cd in the kidney. The levels of kidney function markers like uric acid, urea, and creatinine were found to be abnormal in serum, and also there was a drastic decrease in the levels of glutathione content and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. The treatment of SDG significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the levels of NO and MPO in the animals treated with CdCl2 plus SDG when compared to the animal group treated with CdCl2 alone. The treatment of SDG before CdCl2 injection exhibited significant changes in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, which was evidenced by the restoration in their activities, when compared to CdCl2 alone treated group (p < 0.05), as observed in the results of histopathology. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present investigation suggested that SDG exhibited anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic and renoprotective properties. Thus, SDG may act as a supramolecular binding component and naturally occurring metal chelating agent for metal cations like Cd2+. Therefore, flaxseed lignan-SDG can be used as a therapeutic agent against nephrotoxicity caused by cadmium. However, detailed future studies are needed to know the underlying mechanism of action of SDG against the Cd and other heavy metals induced nephrotoxicity.

Evaluation of protective efficacy of flaxseed lignan-Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside against mercuric chloride-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

The toxicity of heavy metals such as mercury (Hg) in humans and animals is well documented. The kidney is the primary deposition site of inorganic-Hg and target organ of its toxicity. The present study investigated the protective efficacy of flaxseed lignan-Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) on nephrotoxicity induced by mercuric chloride (HgCl2). Rats were intraperitoneally injected with HgCl2 (2 mg/kg/day) and renal toxicity was induced. Subcutaneous administration of rats with SDG (5 mg/kg/day) as a pre-treatment caused a significant reversal of HgCl2 induced increase in blood urea, creatinine, glutathione s-transferase and catalase (CAT). On the other hand, administration of SDG with HgCl2 restored normal levels of albumin and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Histological examination of kidneys confirmed that pre-treatment of SDG before HgCl2 administration significantly reduced its pathological effects. Thus, the results of the present investigation suggest that SDG can significantly reduce renal damage, serum and tissue biochemical profiles caused by HgCl2 induced nephrotoxicity. Hence, SDG may be recommended for clinical trials in the treatment of kidney disorders caused by exposure to Hg.