Ameliorative effect of Plumbago zeylanica root extract against lead toxicity in rats

Abstract

Being a toxic heavy metal, lead can induce many annihilating effects on different systems of the body in all living entity. To combat this toxicity, traditional herbal treatment is gaining importance now-a-days due to their various advantages. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the ameliorative effect of ethanolic root extract of Plumbago zeylanica against lead toxicity in rats. The extract was given at the rate of 100 mg/kg body weight, orally to Wistar rats along withthe lead acetate administered orallyat the rate of 500 ppmf or 24 days. The results were compared with control group receiving normal water and feed, and toxicity group receiving 500 ppm of lead acetate in drinking water. P. zeylanica treated group showed better feed consumption and improved blood parameters with no clinical abnormalities. On histopathological examination, the organs of plant extract treated group showed relatively less degenerative changes in liver, kidneys, lungs, brain and testes, with promising results of serum analysis showing decreased enzymatic levels of ALT, AST, creatinine and blood glucose. Blood calcium was increased upon P. zeylanica treatment indicating its protective effect on bone, whereas the phosphorous level showed opposite trend probably be due to its beneficial effect on kidneys restricting its elimination. These results were encouraging for the use of have created an ardency to use this plant in amelioration of lead toxicity.