Urtica dioica is a potential therapeutic agent for oxidative stress associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Protective effect of Urtica dioica in induced neurobehavioral changes, nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity after chronic exposure to potassium bromate in rats.

Raouia Dhouibi, Hanen Affes, M L Salem, Slim Charfi, Rim Marekchi, Serria Hammami, Khaled Mounir Zeghal, Kamilia Ksouda

Environ Pollut

Jun 24, 2021

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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chronic exposure to potassium bromate (KBrO), a toxic halogen in the environment, has become a global problem of public health. The current study aims to elucidate for the first time the effect of Urtica dioica (UD) on behavioural changes, oxidative stress, and histopathological changes induced by KBrOin the cerebellum, kidney, liver and other organs of adult rats. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The rats were divided into four groups: group 1 served as a control received physiological serum, Group 2 received KBrO(2 g/L of drinking water), group 3 received KBrOand Urtica dioica (100 mg/kg), and group 4 received KBrOand Urtica dioica (400 mg/kg). We then measured behavioural changes, oxidative stress, and biochemical and histological changes in the cerebellum, liver, kidney and others organs in these rats. After 30 days of treatment, the animals were sacrificed. RESULTS: We observed significant behavioural changes in KBrO-exposed rats. When investigating redox homeostasis in the cerebellum, we found that mice treated with KBrOhad increased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation in the cerebellum. In addition, it inhibits hepatic and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP), attenuates KBrO-mediated enzyme depletion, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase enzymatic and antioxidant activities in the liver and kidney. Rats that were co-managed with Urtica dioica at the high portion of 400 mg/kg indicated a higher effect than that treated with the low dose of 100 mg/kg practically in all the tests carried out. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that Urtica dioica is a potential therapeutic agent for oxidative stress associated with neurodegenerative diseases.