Elucidation of Antioxidant Activity of Spinacea Oleracea against Cadmium Induced Hepatotoxicity, Nephrotoxicity and Neurotoxicity in Male Wister Rats

Abstract

Cadmium is known to be associated with etiology of different diseases such as Itai-Itai disease, hepatocellular injury, neurotoxicity, pulmonary edema, cancer, cardiac and neurodegenerative diseases. It is widely reported that cadmium affects the proper functioning of cells by disrupting the cellular redox balance and hence causes apoptosis. The treatment of cadmium toxicity with medicines bring up unwelcoming side effects so there is a need to safely remove cadmium from the body without any harmful effects. The aim of this study was to determine that how cadmium causing malfunctioning of cells could be treated with Spinacea Oleracea methanolic extract. This work was focused on elucidating the effects of spinach on cadmium dependent impairment in memory and spatial learning, level of biomarkers in hepatic and renal tissues, expression of antioxidant enzymes and level of lipid peroxidation caused by cadmium. In order to develop the Cd rat model, CdCl2 (300ppm) was given to rats in drinking water for 10 weeks. After inducing cadmium toxicity for 10 weeks, post treatment with Spinacea Oleracea methanolic extract and was administered to rats in standard diet. After completing the cadmium post treatment, memory and learning were assessed via Morris water maze behavior test. Biochemical tests for liver and kidney biomarkers was observed by liver and kidney function tests. To determine the level of ROS, lipid peroxidation was determined by MDA assay. Gene expression of SOD, CAT and GPx were determined via qRT-PCR and Histopathological analysis were also done. The results of this study elucidated that Spinacea Oleracea successful in reversing the Cd toxicity. The accumulation of cadmium in liver, kidney and hippocampus tissues was found to be reduced after treatment with spinach. The gene expression of SOD, CAT & GPX were up regulated in Spinacea Oleracea methanolic extract post treatment. This study suggests that diet containing spinach can be helpful in the treatment of lethal effects caused by cadmium.