The protective effect of hawthorn in rats treated with a toxic dose of copper
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The objective of this work is to assess the potential protective role of hawthorn Crataegus
monogyna, a plant used in traditional medicine, against copper chronic intoxication. Male
Wistar rats were divided into six groups; the control that received tap water and standard diet
ad libitum, two positive controls treated respectively with Hawthorn leaves and fruits aqueous
extract, a group treated with Cu and finally, two groups treated respectively with Cu+leaves
and Cu+fruits. The treatment was done by gavage for 30 days. The reproductive, hepatic,
renal, hematological, lipid and the oxidative stress markers were evaluated. Cu exposure
reduced testosterone, sperm concentration, live sperm, VCL, VSL, VAP, ALH, BCF, GSH
levels, and the activity of GPx activity compared to control groups. Dead sperm and MDA
levels of testis, liver and kidneys were increased in rats of Cu group compared to the untreated
control. When compared to the Cu group, levels of testosterone, sperm concentration, sperm
motility, live sperm, VCL, VSL, VAP, ALH, BCF, GSH, and the activity of GPx were much
higher significantly in the CuF and CuL groups along with a significantly lower MDA
concentration. A significant increase in the activity of AST, ALT and ALP and the creatinine
level of the Cu group were observed in Cu group compared to the control, but CuF and CuL
have significantly decreased AST, ALT, ALP, creatinine and urea levels compared to the Cu
group. Cu group has respectively increased the testis, hepatic and renal MDA concentration,
and decreased GSH level and GPx activity compared to the control. The combined treatments
(CuF and CuL) showed a significant decline in MDA concentration, accompanied with
significant raise of GSH and GPx levels compared to the Cu group. In kidney, Cu group has
respectively increased and decreased MDA concentration and the GSH and GPx activity, but
CuF and CuL have significantly reduced the MDA concentration and raised both GSH level
and GPx activity. Copper treatment reduced G6PD, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, TRIG and
CHOL levels compared to the control. Compared to the Cu group, the two combined
treatments (CuL and CuF) have raised G6PD, RBC count, HGB, HCT, MCV, TRIG and
CHOL levels, with a decrease in the number of WBC, PLT, and LDL levels. In conclusion,
Cu administration to rats has induced reprotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, but
when hawthorn aqueous extracts of leaves and fruits were co-administrated with this metal,
normal levels of most biological markers were established, while positive control (s) boosted
sperm concentration and velocity (VCL and VAP).