Protective and therapeutic effects of garlic and tomato on cadmium-induced neuropathology in mice

P. Vijaya,Nancy Garg,Suman Sharma,Harsimran Kaur

doi:10.1186/s41936-020-00160-4

P. Vijaya, Nancy Garg + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41936-020-00160-4

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Abstract

BackgroundHeavy metals are natural components of the earth’s crust and are considered as constant environmental pollutants since they cannot be degraded or destroyed easily. Cadmium (Cd) is present primarily in the ores of zinc, copper, or lead; the extraction and processing of which releases large quantities of cadmium into the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and soil thereby contaminating the human environment. The present study aimed to investigate the possible protective and therapeutic effects of garlic and tomato extract on cadmium-induced AChE activity, biochemical parameters along with the pathological changes in the brain tissue of mice.MethodsMale Swiss albino mice (n = 40) were divided into several experimental (protective and therapeutic) groups and were given single dose of cadmium (6 mg/kg bw) with supplementation of garlic (100 mg/kg bw) and tomato (50 mg/kg bw) extract for 15 and 30 days under protective and therapeutic study.ResultsCadmium-treated mice showed a significant decline in AChE (p < 0.01) level and total proteins (p < 0.0001) but a nonsignificant decrease in glycogen, cholesterol in the brain tissue activity as compared to control group. The histological study also showed degeneration in the form of vacuolation, congestion, hyperemia, lymphocytic infiltration, and edema in the brain (cortex and hippocampus) of Cd-treated mice. But the antioxidant-treated groups showed significant increment in AChE level and other biochemical parameters in the protective study. But there were significant variations in the therapeutic study, and this was also confirmed by the histological analysis of the brain. Both tomato and garlic administration showed more attenuation in the brain AChE activity, and it may be due to the strong antioxidant potential of their constituents.ConclusionWe can conclude that cadmium exposure should be avoided as it causes neuropathological effects. But in daily life, it may not be possible, so we should regularly intake natural antioxidants which may neutralize the effects of heavy metals to some extent.

Highlights

Heavy metals are natural components of the earth’s crust and are considered as constant environmental pollutants since they cannot be degraded or destroyed
The animals were handled with humane care in accordance with the guidelines of the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA), India, and all experimentation procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Ethical Committee (Reg No 107/99/CPCSEA/2014-33)
These sections are stretched on slides and are stained with hematoxylin and eosin staining technique

Summary

Introduction

Heavy metals are natural components of the earth’s crust and are considered as constant environmental pollutants since they cannot be degraded or destroyed . Cadmium (Cd) is present primarily in the ores of zinc, copper, or lead; the extraction and processing of which releases large quantities of cadmium into the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and soil thereby contaminating the human environment. Heavy metals are natural components of the earth’s crust and are considered as constant environmental pollutants since they cannot be degraded or destroyed (Pinot et al, 2000). Cd deposits are found with zinc, copper, or lead, and the smelting processes of these metals releases Cd as a by-product into the atmosphere, water bodies, and soil thereby contaminating the human environment (Pachana et al, 2010). Many epidemiological studies showed that Cd vulnerably effect renal, prostate, liver, hematopoietic system, urinary bladder, pancreatic, testis and even causes stomach ulcers (Joseph, Muchnok, Klishis, et al, 2001)

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