Beneficial effect of hesperetin on cadmium induced oxidative stress in rats: an in vivo and in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: Cadmium (Cd) is ubiquitous in the environment and exposure through food and water as well as occupational sources can contribute to a well-defined spectrum of disease. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of hesperetin (Hp) in alleviating the Cd induced biochemical changes in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the experiment, male Wistar rats were injected with Cd 83 mg/kg day) subcutaneously alone or with oral administration of Hp 840 mg/kg day) for 21 days.

RESULTS: In Cd treated rats the levels of plasma lipid peroxidation (LPO) markers: thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) were significantly increased while the levels of plasma non-enzymatic antioxidants: reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamins C and E were significantly decreased in Cd administered rats. Administration of Hp along with Cd significantly decreased the level of LPO markers with elevation of non-enzymatic antioxidants in plasma. In vitro studies on the effect of Hp on scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*), 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+), superoxide anion (O*-), hydroxyl (OH*) radicals and reducing power also confirmed the free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity of Hp. In addition to that, ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxyl toluene was used as the reference antioxidant radical scavenger compounds. Thus, the observed effects are due to the free radical scavenging and antioxidant potential of Hp. Interestingly, among the different concentrations, tested 50 microM of Hp showed the highest antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities when compared to other concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS: The result of these findings provides further evidence to the neutraceutical and pharmaceutical potentials of Hp.