Citrus aurantium L. peel extract mitigates hexavalent chromium-induced oxidative stress and cardiotoxicity in adult rats

In the present study, we aimed to examine the potential protective effect of C. aurantinum L. peel extract against oxidative damage induced by hexavalent chromium in the heart of adult rats. Rats were divided into six groups. Group I served as controls and received standard diet. Group II received via drinking water potassium dichromate (K۲Cr۲O۷) alone (۷۰۰ ppm) during ۳ weeks. Groups III and IV were pre-treated for ۱۰ days by gavage with the ethanolic extract of C. aurantium peels at doses of ۱۰۰ and ۳۰۰ mg/kg body weight/day, respectively, and then K۲Cr۲O۷ was administrated during ۳ weeks. Groups V and VI received by gavage only C. aurantium peel ethanolic extract at doses of ۱۰۰ and ۳۰۰ mg/kg body weight/day, respectively, during ۱۰ days. K۲Cr۲O۷ treatment increased the cardiac levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls (PCO), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), non-protein thiols, glutathione and vitamin C, as well as the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Cardiac histological alterations, manifested by hemorrhage and cytoplasmic vacuolization, were also observed. Pre-treatment with C. aurantium peel extract (۳۰۰ mg/kg) attenuated significantly the biochemical and histopathological changes observed following K۲Cr۲O۷ exposure in rat’s heart. Our findings indicated that C. aurantium peel extract was able to hamper K۲Cr۲O۷-induced myocardial injury, which could be attributed to its antioxidant activity.

Keywords:

Chromium , rats , heart , oxidative stress , c. aurantium peel