THE USE OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA LEAVES EXTRACT AS A HEALTH PROTECTIVE AGENT AGAINST MERCURY TOXICITY TO RAT KIDNEYS: BIOCHEMICAL AND MICROSCOPICAL STUDIES

Research Abstract

Mercury is a widespread environmental and industrial pollutant, which induces severe alterations in the body tissues of both humans and animals as a result of oxidative stress. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to prove the possibility to use Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaf extract (AILE) for protection of the kidney from damage induced by mercuric chloride in rats. Male albino rats were divided into four groups control group, mercuric chloride-treated group (2 mg/kg b.wt) daily for 30 days The 3rd group was given a daily dose of AILE (200 mg/ kg b. wt) simultaneously with the same dose of mercuric chloride. AILE control group. HgCl2 treatment significantly reduces the GSH content and the antioxidant potential, vitamin C and vitamin E and thus accelerates the lipid peroxidation and GPx, resulting in renal cellular damage evidenced by altered kidney functions, histological, histochemical and ultrastructural changes. The lining epithelial cells of the renal tubules lost their regular architecture and their nuclei displayed distinct features of pyknosis and karyolsis. Vacuolation of the lining cells of the renal tubules were also noticed. The protein, glycogen and DNA contents were also decreased in all renal tissues.The ultrastructural examination of the kidney of mercuric chloride treated rat revealed marked thickening of glomerular capillary basement membrane, cytoplasmic vacuolation of the parietal epithelium of Bowman's capsules, fusion of the foot processes of podocytes and the mesangial matrix were greatly increased. The apical luminal epithelium of proximal tubules was often disrupted and irregular .The basal labyrinth was highly disorganized and its association with the mitochondria was lost. Slightly increased lysosomes were also noticed in the cytoplasm. In addition, the lumen of several tubules was filled with cell debris. The treatment with plant extract could return most of the abnormal biochemical parameters estimated in blood and tissues of mercuric-intoxicated rats to nearly normal levels, in addition to better histological, histochemical as well as ultrastructural observations. We suggest that the use of AILE supplementation could be beneficial for workers exposed to mercury for long time. Keywords: Mercuric Chloride, Azadirachta indica, Nephrotoxicity, Histopathology, Histochemistry Ultrastructure.

Research Keywords

Mercuric Chloride, Azadirachta indica, Nephrotoxicity, Histopathology, Histochemistry Ultrastructure