Influence of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench extract on the toxicity of cadmium

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (EP) has many beneficial features, especially strengthening the immune system. Cadmium (Cd) is a ubiquitous metal and cumulative poison that may cause liver and kidney damage and the formation of neoplasia. In this article, the changes in organs and metabolism, the accumulation of various levels of Cd in tissues, and the effects of EP liquid extract on Cd-induced changes in mice were investigated. Experiments were carried out on the white laboratory mice. Solution of different Cd and EP concentrations were given to drink and experiments were performed. The concentration of Cd in mice blood, liver, kidneys, heart, spleen, skeletal muscle was determined using an electrothermal graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer Perkin-Elmer/Zeeman 3030. Long time per os of extract of EP combined with Cd leads to a significant increase of Cd concentration in blood and investigated organs of experiment mice.