Abstract

PROTECTIVE EFFICACY OF TOMATO EXTRACT AGAINST CADMIUM INDUCED TOXICITY IN ALBINO MICE

Suman Sharma and *P. Vijaya

ABSTRACT

Cadmium is one of the most toxic heavy metals. Exposure to Cd can produce both acute and chronic tissue injury and can damage various organs and tissues. The present study has been undertaken to evaluate the protective efficacy of tomato extract on cadmium induced toxicity in brain and kidney of albino mice. Albino mice were divided into three groups. Group I mice were kept as control. Group II animals were administered a single dose of cadmium chloride (6 mg/kg bw) orally. Group III animals were given a single dose of CdCl2 followed by a chronic dose of tomato extract (50 mg/kg bw) orally. Autopsies were done at the intervals of 15 and 45 days post treatment. Cadmium treatment leads to increase in MDA content and showed significant decrease in SOD, CAT and GST activity in brain and kidney tissue on 15 and 45 days post treatment as compared to control. Tomato extract treatment ameliorated all the degenerative changes induced by CdCl2 and also aided in reduction of oxidative stress and restored the biochemical changes and antioxidant status in brain and kidney tissue.

Keywords: Cadmium (Cd), tomato extract and antioxidant.