PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ELLAGIC ACID AGAINST LEAD INDUCED MYOCARDIAL TOXICITY

Abstract

Chronic exposure of lead is responsible for life threatening cardiac manifestations. Ellagic acid (EA), by virtue of its antioxidant potential, is responsible for cardio-protective activity. The present study was under taken to evaluate protective effect of EA against lead induced myocardial toxicity. Rats were treated with high (50 mg/kg, p.o.) and low (25 mg/kg, p.o.) dose of EA for 12 weeks. Apart from normal controls, all other groups were exposed to lead acetate (100 mg/litre) in drinking water for 12 weeks. Effects of different treatments were evaluated by changes in electrocardiographic parameters, serum biomarkers and tissue antioxidant levels and histological studies. Compared with the only lead exposed group both high and low dose of EA exhibited a significant decrease in serum biomarkers and increase in tissue antioxidant levels. EA treatment was also responsible for significant improvement in ECG parameter and histological score. The present findings clearly suggest that the EA reported dose dependent beneficial effect against lead induced myocardial toxicity.