Mehdi Eivani - Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Parvin Zareian - Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Laya Ghahari - Department of Anatomy, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Masoomeh Dadpay - Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sajad Shojaee - Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Background: Lead, one of the most important environmental pollutants, can induce a broad range of physiological dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of the Melissa officinalis plant extract on biomarkers of liver and kidney function as well as serum testosterone concentration in lead-exposed male rats.Methods: We used ۴۰ Wistar rats and divided them into ۵ groups. The control group received saline (۱ mL/kg) by gastric gavage and ۳۰ minutes later received saline (۱ mL/kg) through i.p injection. The lead group received saline (۱ mL/kg) by gastric gavage and ۳۰ minutes later received i.p injection of lead acetate (۲۰ mg/kg). The treatment groups received different doses of M. officinalis alcoholic extract (۲۰, ۱۰۰, and ۵۰۰ mg/kg, respectively) by gastric gavage and ۳۰ min later received i.p injection of lead acetate (۲۰ mg/kg). The rats were treated for ۵ days and then twenty -four hours after the last injection, blood samples were collected for the measurement of urea, creatinine, uric acid, alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) and testosterone. Data analysis was performed through SPSS (version ۱۶).Results: Melissa extract (۱۰۰ mg/kg) significantly reduced liver enzymes and kidney function markers when compared to the lead group. Treatment with Melissa extract (۱۰۰ mg/kg and ۵۰۰ mg/kg) significantly increased serum testosterone concentration compared to the lead group.Conclusion: The biochemical results of this study showed that M. officinalis may be beneficial in lead-induced liver and kidney dysfunction.

Keywords: Melissa officinalis, Lead toxicity, Biochemical markers, testosterone, Rat