Tomato Pomace Alleviated Motor Abnormality, Oxidative Impairments and Neurotoxicity Induced by Lead Acetate in Male Rats

Abstract

The brain is highly sensitive to lead intoxication. Plant-derived products with antioxidant activity have been useful in reducing lead-induced neurotoxicity. The present study investigated the possible protective effect of tomato pomace powder (TPP) on brain damage induced by lead acetate (LAc) in rats. Thirty rats were divided equally into five groups: control; propylene glycol; TPP (50 mg/kg), LAc (50 mg/kg), and LAc+ TPP. All treatments were administered orally by gavage for 42 days. Rats were euthanized on day 43 of experiment. Behavioural tests, oxidative and blood parameters were done and brain tissue was examined with regard to histological parameters. Results indicated that LAc significantly (p<0.05) induced increased levels of lipid peroxidation and activity of SOD, but reduced GSH level. Similarly LAc caused alteration in the haematological and behavioural parameters, and microscopic anatomy of the cerebellum, dentate gyrus, and Cornu Ammonis3 of rats. These alterations were significantly (p<0.05) reversed by 50 mg/kg co-treatment of TPP with LAc when compared with the LAc group. In conclusion, co-treatment with TPP offered relative protection from LAc-induced neuropathy, motor abnormality and oxidative impairment. Our data suggest that TPP may be useful in the modulation of lead acetate-induced intoxication in rat.

Keywords: Lead acetate, tomato pomace, neurotoxicity, oxidative damage, rat brain