Evaluation of the Effect of Berberine on Serum Oxidative Agents in Chronic Lead Poisoning

Constant exposure to lead, even in small amounts, can lead to damage to various systems of the body. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the weakening of the endogenous antioxidant system play a major role in lead damage. Antioxidant drugs may be effective in reducing lead-induced damage, so in this study, the effect of berberine on lead-induced oxidative agents was investigated.

In this study were used forty male wistar rats. The animals were randomly divided into 5 groups. 1-Sham group, four groups that received lead orally for one month. These four groups included the 100ppm and 500ppm lead poisoned groups and the 100 and 500ppm lead poisoned groups treated with berberine 50mg / kg. Lead was added to the drinking water of the animals and berberine was gavaged daily. After the treatment period, the animals were deeply anesthetized and blood sample was taken from the heart of animals to evaluate the activity of antioxidants glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde MDA level in the serum.

The results of biochemical factors showed that serum SOD, CAT and GSH activity in lead poisoning groups were not significantly different from sham group. Berberine was able to increase SOD activity in the lead 500 group. Berberine also increased CAT activity in the lead-poisoned group receiving 500 dose of lead. Also, in lead groups treated with berberine, a significant increase in GSH activity was observed compared to the lead group. The results of the MDA examination showed that the serum MDA level of rats that received lead increased significantly compared to sham group and berberine decreased MDA level in lead 500 group.

In general, the results of this study showed thatexposure to lead for 2 months has no effect on the activity of antioxidant, but increases serum MDA. Increased MDA indicates the presence of oxidative stress. The study also found that berberine increased the antioxidants activity and decreased the MDA level