Prophylactic Effect Of Gallic Acid On Selected Antioxidant Enzymes In The Kidney Of Mice With Benzene-Induced Oxidative Stress

Abstract:

Oxidative stress is associated with benzene exposure. Thus benzene toxicity may be ameliorated by antioxidants. Gallic acid has been reported to be an antioxidant. However, it has not been evaluated for its protective effect against benzene toxicity. Therefore, the study was carried out to investigate the prophylactic effects of gallic acid on the activities of selected antioxidant enzymes and concentrations of selected oxidative stress markers in the kidney of mice with benzene-induced oxidative stress. Thirty mice were randomly divided into six groups (A-F) of five mice each. Group A was orally administered distilled water while mice in Groups B, C, D, E and F were orally administered 50 mg/kg body weight of ascorbic acid, 25, 50, 100 mg/kg body weight of gallic acid respectively for 14 days before administering 150 mg/kg body weight of benzene orally to mice in groups B-F for 2 weeks (six days per week). The activities of selected antioxidant enzymes and concentrations of oxidative stress markers in the kidney were then determined. The results revealed that benzene significantly reduced (p<0.05) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in negative control when compared to the normal controls. Ascorbic acid and gallic acid at all doses were able to significantly revert (p<0.05) the effect of benzene on these parameters by increasing (p<0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase compared to negative control. The results suggest that one of the mechanisms by which gallic acid prevents the toxic effects of benzene in the kidney is by enhancing the activities of SOD and CAT.