Abstract

THYMELAEA MICROPHYLLA AMELIORATES OXIDATIVE STRESS AND METALLOTHIONEIN LEVEL INDUCED BY CADMIUM IN RAT KIDNEY

*Samira Laib, Tarak Mekhelfi, Korichi Lalaoui, Ahmed Menad, Lahcene Zaiter, Fadila Benayache, Samir Benayache and Souad Ameddah

Abstract

Background and Objective: The present investigation was performed to evaluate the protective effect and the antioxidant power of Thymelaea microphylla against cadmium chloride induced oxidative stress and renal toxicity in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: First, antioxidant and radical scavenging effect of Thymelaea microphylla was evaluated in vitro with 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl (OH) radicals assays. Then, Wistar rats were subjected to oral pretreatment with n-butanolic extract of Thymelaea microphylla (BETM) (200 mg/kg) against the renal toxicity induced by oral administration of cadmium chloride CdCl2 (5 mg/kg) for 28 days, vitamin E (250 mg/Kg) was used similarly as standard. Efficiency of Thymelaea microphylla against the renal toxicity was evaluated in terms of biochemical estimation of renal function parameters, antioxidant enzymes activities, metallothionein levels and histopathological modifications. Thymelaea microphylla antiinflammatory effect was evaluated by carrageenan (1%) induced rat paw edema. Results: Thymelaea microphylla revealed a high scavenging ability of DPPH and OH radicals. Also, Thymelaea microphylla(200 mg/Kg) pretreatment prevented deteriorative effects caused by cadmium chloride through a protective mechanism that included significant decrease in the levels of Blood Urea Nitrogen, creatinine, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) , potassium, sodium, Myeloperoxidase, Nitric Oxide and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Species as well as by restoration of antioxidant enzymes, metallothionein levels and histopathological changes against cadmium chloride administration. Additionally, Thymelaea microphylla revealed an important anti-inflammatory effect reducing carrageenan induced paw edema. Conclusion: This study proved the antioxidant and protective effect of Thymelaea microphylla against cadmium chloride induced oxidative stress and kidney injury.

Keywords: Cadmium chloride, kidney, oxidative stress, Thymelaea microphylla, metallothionein.