Hazardous effects of high voltage electromagnetic field on albino rats and protective role of Rosmarinus officinalis.

Abstract

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are common in our everyday lives. They have many origins and severe effects on individuals and environments where they inflict a great deal of health and psychological harm. The current study investigated the impact of high voltage (H.V.) EMF 5.4kV/m for 2 and 4h per day with a frequency equal to 50Hz alternating current (AC) on body weight (b.wt), blood indices, and certain liver enzymes of albino rats after 25days of exposure to the electromagnetic field. This work focuses on the therapeutic action of methanol extract of Rosmarinus officinalis (R. officinalis) leaves at a dose (5mg/kg b. wt) against harmful EMF-induced effects. The findings showed that electromagnetic field exposure induced a substantial decrease in red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), and catalase activity (CAT). Although white blood cells (WBCs), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels have increased significantly under EMF treatment. Treatment with R. officinalis showed attenuation in these parameters that were induced in rats exposed to H.V. These findings were followed by the histopathological analysis of the liver in the observations. Finally, we conclude that R. officinalis leaves extract offered substantial protection against H.V-induced liver damage and can be applied in drug production.