Comparative Study on the Therapeutic Potential of Aloe Vera and Apium Graveolens Supplemented with Zinc on Effects of Cadmium Induced Toxicity in Liver Kidney and Testis of Wistar Rats

Abstract

Cadmium crosses blood-tissue barrier to reach the tissue and causes newlinecellular damage by generating ROS. Generation of ROS causes further cellular newlinedamage. Cd poisoning occurs by replacing Zn, which is very important for newlinenormal metabolism and reproductive functions. Another indirect way is by newlinegeneration of ROS that takes upper hand over antioxidant system existing newlineinside a cell, resulting in irreversible damage. This can be prevented by an newlineappropriate chelating agent, like Zn. When zinc (Zn) is present in excess or newlinefree, Cd fails to compete with Zn to replace its position in an enzyme or alter newlinethe structure of components of biological system existing inside a cell. Hence newlinesupplementing Zn, in Cd poisoning is expected to protect the cellular newlinecomponents from direct insult by Cd. Supplying antioxidants prevent the loss or newlinerestore the balance between ROS and antioxidants. This ideology forms the newlinebasis for the present work. newlineVery few studies suggested that Zn could protect the rat tissues from Cd newlinetoxicity. Also, literature states that AV could offer protection to rat tissues from newlinetoxic effects of Cd. No study reports the use of antioxidant properties of AG (an newlineeasily available, eatable green leaf used as leafy vegetable) as protective newlineagainst Cd induced pathology in rat. Evaluation of combined actions of Zn as newlinechelator and antioxidant properties of hydroalcoholic extracts of AV and AG is newlineneeded since they could be more effective together than alone. The present newlinestudy employed the chelating properties of Zn and antioxidant properties of AV newlineand AG against Cd. The medicinal plant extracts used in this study, AV and AG, newlineare rich in antioxidants and various other active compounds that are beneficial newlineto biological system.