African Journal of
Pharmacy and Pharmacology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0816
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPP
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 2293

Full Length Research Paper

Hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic effects of Spirulina platensis in rats administered mercuric chloride

Bashandy S. A.1,3*, Alhazza I. M.1, El-Desoky G. E.2 and Al-Othman Z. A.2
1Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia. 2Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia. 3Pharmacology Department, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 15 February 2011
  •  Published: 28 February 2011

Abstract

In the present study Spirulina platensis has been investigated as a possible modifier of mercury induced hepatic damages and alteration of lipid profile in albino rats. The results revealed that the rats treated with mercuric chloride (HgCl2) showed a significant increase in levels of blood hydroperoxide, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). Moreover, hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of HgCl2 group elevated significantly. On the other hand, plasma protein, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and hepatic glutathione (GSH) of HgCl2 treated following administration of HgCl2 shows necrosis and cytoplasmic vacuolization  by Mercury intoxication induces some pathological alterations in the liver as  necrosis and cytoplasmic vacuolization. The rise in plasma hepatic enzymes, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, hydroperoxide, and histopathological changes were significantly attenuated by Spirulina. Moreover, the levels of plasma HDL-C and protein and hepatic glutathione in Spirulina+HgCl2 group showed a significant increase as compared with HgCl2 group. Spirulina significantly alleviated the hepatotoxicity induced by HgCl2 and modified the lipid profile through its antioxidant properties.

 

Key words: Spirulina platensis, mercuric chloride, hydroperoxide, liver enzymes, glutathione, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL.