Prophylactic Efficacy of <i>Allium sativum</i> Essential Oil on Hepatic Tissues of Mice Model Exposed to Inorganic Lead Salt

Abstract

Hypothesis: Lead is a pervasive environmental pollutant that is major threat for human health. Allium sativum essential oil could impart possible protection from Lead Nitrate (LN) as it contains organosulfur compounds which possess various pharmacological potential including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-apoptotic and other activities as well. Parameters Studied: The ameliorative role of Allium sativum essential oil on hepatic tissue damage caused by Lead nitrate was evaluated through oxidative stress, biochemical parameters, oxidative Stress Index (OSI) and hepatic biomarkers. Methodology and Results: In this study, six groups of animals were taken. These groups were: control animals, toxicant treated animals (LN), LN + plant oil low and high dose treated animals, LN + silymarin treated animals and LN + vehicle oil control group. Lead nitrate exposure significantly decreased the antioxidant molecules mainly SOD, CAT, Gpx, GSH, GST, TPC and increased the lipid peroxidation content, Oxidative Stress Index (OSI), liver indices, Total Cholesterol Content (TCC) and biochemical parameters [ALT, AST, ALP] In addition to this, Lead nitrate increased the level of hepatic biomarkers such as cytp4502E1, 5’-nucleotidase, and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase and decreased the cytb5 content in hepatic tissues. Conclusion: Antioxidant activity of Allium sativum Essential Oil (ASEO) prevented oxidative stress and restored the level of liver indices, biochemical parameters, and hepatic biomarkers in Lead nitrate-intoxicated mice. Therefore, ASEO can be considered as a promising protective strategy against Lead nitrate-induced hepatotoxicity.