Spirulina fusiformis provides protection against mercuric chloride induced oxidative stress in Swiss albino mice.
Oxidative stress induced by mercuric chloride (5 mg/kg body weight i.p.) in mice substantially increases the lipid peroxidation level along with corresponding decrease in the reduced glutathione and various antioxidant enzymes in liver and increase in serum transaminases activity. Supplementation of Spirulina (800 mg/kg body weight orally, in olive oil, along with mercuric chloride) for 40 days resulted in decreased LPO level, serum glutamate oxaloacetate and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase activity along with increase in liver GSH level. The activities of antioxidants enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase were also concomitantly restored to near normal level by Spirulina supplementation to mercuric chloride intoxicated mice. The results clearly demonstrate that Spirulina treatment augments the antioxidants defense mechanism in mercuric chloride induced toxicity and provides evidence that it may have a therapeutic role in free radical mediated diseases.
Sharma
Mukesh Kumar
MK
Department of Zoology, RLS Government (PG) College, Kaladera, Jaipur 303801, India. mkshrma@hotmail.com
Sharma
Ambika
A
Kumar
Ashok
A
Kumar
Madhu
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000633:toxicity; D051379:Mice; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053545:Spirulina
D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D005978:Glutathione