Pretreatment with diallylsulphide modulates mercury-induced neurotoxicity in male rats.

Many studies have reported on the toxicity and related oxidative stress of mercury. Antioxidants play an important role in counteracting metal-induced neurotoxicity under in vivo conditions. In this study, the effect of diallylsulphide (DAS) was evaluated on mercuric chloride induced activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione content in brains of rats. Pretreatment of rats with DAS in the Hg-treated group also inhibited an increase in lipid peroxidation and elevated acetyl cholinesterase and glutathione content. Activities of antioxidant enzymes were also restored concomitantly when compared to the control rats after DAS administration. DAS also caused a decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α level which was higher in HgCl2-treated group. The results indicate that DAS augments antioxidant defense with anti-inflammatory response against HgCl2-induced neurotoxicity. The increased level of antioxidant enzymes enhances the antioxidant potential of the organ to reduce oxidative stress.