Dietary importance of physalis peruviana and its efficacy against lead toxicity in rats

الملخص EN

This study was carried out to investigate the dietary importance of Physalis Peruviana (PP) and its efficacy against lead toxicity in rats.

Thirty young albino rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing approximately 50 ± 5 gm were randomly distributed after the adaptation period into five main groups, the first group (6 rats) was kept on the basal diet as negative control (-ve), while rats in other groups were exposed to lead acetate and divided into four groups (6 of each).

Group two was positive control (+ve) , while the other three groups were fed on a basal diet supplemented with dried PP at three levels 5% , 10%, and 15% for 6 weeks.

Body weight gain was calculated.

Calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphate (ALP), lead, liver enzymes such as Alanine Aminotransferase(ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), in addition, kidney functions such as urea nitrogen and creatinine were determined in serum also, antioxidants enzymes as well as MDA were analyzed, histopathological examination liver and kidneys were done.

Results showed an increase in body weight gain in groups fed on diet contining PP compared with the positive control group.

Liver enzymes such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), in addition, urea nitrogen and creatinine were decreased significantly in groups 3, 4 and 5 respectively compared with the positive control group.

PP caused significant improvement in calcium and phosphorus concentrations in serum compared with the positive control group.

The lowest harmful effect from lead appears in a group of rats that fed on PP at three levels compared with the positive control group.

Urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were significantly improved when rats were fed on three levels of PP powder.

Also, results showed that ALP concentration was significantly decreased when rats were fed on PP powder.

Antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) were significantly increased in groups 3,4 and 5, respectively compared with the positive control group.

However, MDAwas decreased significantly in groups 3,4 and 5, respectively compared with the positive control group.

Thus, this study concluded that PP powder at three levels had a good effect on health by limiting the toxic effect induced by heavy metals especially lead.