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Onion and garlic extracts lessen cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in rats
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. mendelcv@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract:
Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known nephrotoxicant inducing kidney damage via oxidative stress. Since kidney is the critical target organ of Cd toxicity, this study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of onion (Allium cepa L.) and garlic (Allium sativum L.) aqueous extracts on Cd-induced renal oxidative stress in male Wistar rats. The control group received double distilled water alone and Cd group was challenged with 3CdSO4 x 8H2O (as Cd) (1.5 mg/100 g bw/day per oral) alone. Extract-treated groups were pre-treated with varied doses (0.5 ml and 1.0 ml/100 g bw/day per oral) of onion and/or garlic extract for 1 week after which they were co-treated with Cd (1.5 mg/100 g bw/day per oral) for 3 weeks. The results showed that the levels of renal lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione-S transferase (GST) were significantly (P < 0.001) increased in rats that received Cd alone relative to the control group. More so, the levels of renal glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and Na+/K+-ATPase were significantly (P < 0.001) decreased in rats that received Cd alone. Treatment of Cd-intoxicated rats with varied doses of onion and/or garlic extract significantly (P < 0.05) restored the alterations in these parameters relative to the group that received Cd alone. While treatment with high dose of onion extract exerted a significant dose-dependent restoration of these parameters, treatment with high dose of garlic elicited a pro-oxidant effect, relative to their respective low dose. Our study suggests that onion and garlic extracts may exert their protective effects via reduction in LPO and enhanced antioxidant defense. These extracts may, therefore, be useful nutritional option in alleviating Cd-induced renal damage.
Insights
Onion and garlic extracts show protective effects against cadmium-induced kidney damage by reducing oxidative stress. Onion extract demonstrated a dose-dependent recovery, while garlic extract had mixed results.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Nephrology
Background:
- Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal known to cause kidney damage through oxidative stress.
- The kidney is a primary target organ for cadmium toxicity, necessitating research into protective strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the protective potential of onion (Allium cepa L.) and garlic (Allium sativum L.) aqueous extracts against cadmium-induced renal oxidative stress.
- To investigate the effects of these extracts on key oxidative stress biomarkers in male Wistar rats.
Main Methods:
- Rats were administered cadmium sulfate (CdSO4) to induce nephrotoxicity.
- Animals were pre-treated with varying doses of onion and/or garlic extracts before and during cadmium exposure.
- Levels of renal lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and Na+/K+-ATPase were measured.
Main Results:
- Cadmium exposure significantly increased renal LPO and GST, while decreasing GSH, SOD, CAT, and Na+/K+-ATPase.
- Treatment with onion and garlic extracts significantly counteracted these cadmium-induced alterations.
- High-dose onion extract showed a dose-dependent protective effect, whereas high-dose garlic extract exhibited a pro-oxidant effect.
Conclusions:
- Onion and garlic extracts possess protective properties against cadmium-induced renal oxidative stress.
- These effects are likely mediated by reducing lipid peroxidation and enhancing the antioxidant defense system.
- Onion and garlic extracts represent a potential nutritional approach for mitigating cadmium-induced kidney damage.
