Propolis alleviates aluminium-induced lipid peroxidation and biochemical parameters in male rats

Food Chem Toxicol. 2009 Jun;47(6):1093-8. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2009.01.032.

Abstract

Aluminium is present in many manufactured foods and medicines and is also added to drinking water during purification purposes. Therefore, the present experiment was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of propolis in alleviating the toxicity of aluminium chloride (AlCl3) on biochemical parameters, antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation of male Wistar Albino rats. Animals were assigned to 1 of 4 groups: control; 34 mg AlCl3/kg bw; 50 mg propolis/kg bw; AlCl3 (34 mg/kg bw) plus propolis (50 mg/kg bw), respectively. Rats were orally administered their respective doses daily for 70 days. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was increased, and the activities of glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were decreased in liver, kidney and brain of rats treated with AlCl3. While, TBARS was decreased and the antioxidant enzymes were increased in rats treated with propolis alone. Plasma transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, total lipid, cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-c were increased, while total protein, albumin and high HDL-c were decreased due to AlCl3 administration. The presence of propolis with AlCl3 alleviated its toxic effects in rats treated with AlCl3. It can be concluded that propolis has beneficial influences and could be able to antagonize AlCl3 toxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Chloride
  • Aluminum Compounds / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Aluminum Compounds / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / enzymology
  • Chlorides / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Chlorides / toxicity*
  • Free Radicals / metabolism
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / enzymology
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Propolis / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / metabolism
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Aluminum Compounds
  • Antioxidants
  • Chlorides
  • Free Radicals
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Aluminum Chloride
  • Propolis