Protective effect of Pistacia atlantica Desf leaves on Mercury-Induced toxicity in Rats

Abstract

Chronic exposure to mercury (Hg) increases the risk of developing serious human disorders from the embryo to adulthood. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the hepatorenal protective effect of natural products such as the aqueous extract of Pistacia atlantica against the toxicity and oxidative stress induced by mercuric chloride in male rats. Adult Wistar rats weighing between 55 and 65 g were randomly assigned to 3 lots. The ani-mals were administered with mercury chloride (HgCl2) intraperitoneally for 32 days. The group intoxicated were administered with 2.5 mg/kg of HgCl2, while the group of treated by HgCl2 and P.atlantica received 2.5 mg/kg of HgCl2 and 150 mg/kg of aqueous extract of P.atlantica. The liver and kidney weight, and marker enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, serum total protein content, urea, uric acid, creatinine, direct and total bilirubin and lipid profile), the metal contents, and histopathological investigation were determinated. The results showed an decrease in levels of biochemical parameters in the serum of animals treated with HgCl2 and P. atlantica. An improvement of liver and kidney functions was also observed. The results showed that ad-ministration of Pistacia atlantica aqueous extract represents a promising candidate for the treatment of liver and renal damages.