Protective effect of black grapes on cadmium induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

Cadmium is a major environmental pollutant and is known for its wide toxic manifestations. In the present investigation cadmium (5 mg/kg) was administered orally for 4 weeks to induce hepatotoxicity in rats. Tissue damage induced by cadmium was clearly shown by increased activities of serum hepatic markers-AST, ALT, ALP, total protein along with the increased level of lipid peroxidation indices-TBARS, significantly decreased levels of enzymatic antioxidants like SOD, CAT and non-enzymatic antioxidants like GSH. Statistically significant decrease in hemoglobin, RBC and WBC was observed in cadmium treated animals when compared to normal control group. Administration of Black grapes (Vitis vinifera) extract 400 mg/kg given by oral route significantly reversed activities of serum hepatic markers to their near-normal levels, significantly reduced lipid peroxidation, restored the levels of antioxidant defense in liver, produced improvement in hematological parameters when compared to Cd-treated rats. The present study suggested that Black grapes may be beneficial in ameliorating the cadmium induced oxidative damage in the liver of rats.