Effects of Propolis on Cadmium-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Abstract

Aim (Background): Cadmium is a major environmental pollutant and is known for its wide toxic manifestations. The liver and kidneys, which are the primary organs involved in the elimination of this metal. The present study evaluates possible ameliorating effects of propolis on CdCl2 induced hepatotoxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Materials and methods: Forty-eight rats were divided in two different groups. Treated group (propolis 25 mg/kg BW) by gavage and no treated group for five days. After pretreatment the animals were divided into four groups each of 6 rats: normal control group, propolis group, CdCl2 group and propolis-CdCl2 group. The first and the second group received bidistilled water such as the drinking water. The third and the fourth group received CdCl2 300 mg/l in bidistilled water such as the drinking water. After 12weeks, the animals were Weighted and then were killed to determine the activities of hepatic marker enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP (in serum, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) in liver homogenate. Results: The result showed that the Cd treatment caused decreased in body weight gain and liver weight at (p< 0.001) and at (p< 0.01) sequentially when compared to the control group. The results showed that Cd treatment caused a significant increase of serum AST (p< 0.05) and APH (p< 0.01), the decreased hepatic level of MDA (p< 0.001), the increased hepatic level of reduced GSH (p< 0.001) when compared to the control group. In addition, the pretreatment with propolis before Cd administration could not inhibit the changes against Cd toxicity except the APH that the propolis decreased the APH (p< 0.01), when compared to the Cd group. Conclusion: Therefore, it was concluded that propolis at dose of 25 mg/kg BW could not prevent the toxic effects of Cd against oxidative damages in rat liver since no improvement of the majority of parameters by propolis treatment.