title: Toxic effects of lead exposure in Wistar rats: involvement of oxidative stress and the beneficial role of edible jute (Corchorus olitorius) leaves.
abstract: Lead (Pb) is considered to be a multi-target toxicant. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of aqueous extract of Corchorus olitorius leaves against Pb-acetate induced toxic manifestation in blood, liver, kidney, brain and heart of Wistar rats. The Pb-acetate (5mg/kg body weight) treated rats exhibited a significant inhibition of co-enzymes Q, antioxidant enzymes and reduced glutathione levels in the tissues. In addition, the extent of lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation and haematological parameters were significantly altered in the Pb-acetate treated rats as compared to control. Simultaneous administration of test extract (25, 50 and 100mg/kg body weight), could significantly restore the biochemical and haematological parameters near to the normal status through antioxidant activity and/or by preventing bioaccumulation of Pb within the tissues of experimental rats. Presence of substantial quantity of phenolics and flavonoids in the extract may be responsible for the observed protective role against Pb-intoxication.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, 188 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700 032, India. s.dewanjeer@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Saikat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dewanjee
authors.forename: Ranabir
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sahu
authors.forename: Sarmila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karmakar
authors.forename: Moumita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gangopadhyay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D032381:Corchorus; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D007854:Lead