title: Protective effect of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract against lead toxicity in rat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Artichoke, Cynara scolymus L. (Asteraceae), has many natural antioxidants and multiple pharmacological actions. Recent studies have shown that it has antitoxic activity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Lead (Pb) is a dangerous environmental toxicant that induces a broad range of dysfunctions in human. This study evaluated the protective effect of the hydroethanolic extract of artichoke against altered biochemical parameters in rats fed with lead-containing diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups. The first (control) group received standard diet. The second, third and fourth groups received 500 mg lead/kg diet, 500 mg lead/kg diet plus 300 mg/kg b.w. artichoke extract daily, and 500 mg lead/kg diet plus 1 mg vitamin C/100 g b.w. daily for 6 weeks, respectively. Serum lead, lipoprotein profile, ALT (alanine transaminase), AST (aspartate transaminase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver histopathology assessments were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum lead, triglyceride (TG), VLDL, ALT, AST, ALP and MDA levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the artichoke-treated group (35.85, 38.26, 38.38, 21.90, 12.81, 26.86 and 46.91%, respectively) compared to lead-intoxicated rats without treatment. No significant change was observed in serum lead, ALP and ALT between artichoke and vitamin C-treated groups (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the liver histopathology in rats treated with artichoke showed a mild degree of lymphocyte infiltration that was relatively comparable to the control and vitamin C-treated groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results clearly show that the artichoke extract in lead-poisoned rats has suitable chelating properties for the reduction of blood lead levels.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Biochemistry Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran. heidarian_e@skums.ac.ir
authors.forename: Esfandiar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heidarian
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rafieian-Kopaei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000931:Antidotes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D031943:Cynara scolymus / Q000737:chemistry*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000931:Antidotes; D000975:Antioxidants; D002614:Chelating Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007854:Lead; D008315:Malondialdehyde