Heavy metals intoxication causes several health problems that necessitate finding new protective and therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Musa sp. leaves extract (MLE) on hepato-renal toxicities induced by cadmium (Cd) in male mice. The phytochemical screening, metal chelating activity (MCA), and the median lethal dose (LD50) of MLE were determined. Fifty CD-1 male mice were used and intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with MLE (1000 to 5000 mg/kg b.wt) for MLE LD50 determination. Another 50 mice were used for evaluating the effect of MLE on Cd toxicity. Blood samples were collected for hematological, liver, and kidney functions assessments. Liver tissue homogenates were used for determination of oxidant/antioxidant parameters. Liver and kidney tissues were harvested for histopathological and molecular investigations. MLE showed potent in vitro antioxidant activities. The MCA and LD50 of the MLE were 75 µg/mL and 3000 mg/kg b.wt, respectively. MLE showed beneficial therapeutic activity against hepato-renal toxicities in Cd-intoxicated mice, evidenced by improving the hematological, biochemical, histopathological, and molecular alterations.

HighlightsChefs used EDTA to accelerate the cooking time of Vicia faba beans.By ESI-MS analysis, disodium EDTA disappeared after cooking process of beans.Up on EDTA addition during cooking, essential nutrients changed.

The possible renal and hepatic toxicities of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in bean cooking media were studied using 100 male albino mice. Two sublethal doses of EDTA were used to explore their toxic effects; 20 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, which corresponded to 1/100th and 1/10th of LD50, respectively. Accordingly, the toxicity study was performed using 50 mice, divided into five groups ( n = 10/group) as follows: group 1 (Gp1) served as a negative control and was orally administered normal saline; group 2 (Gp2) was administered the bean cooking medium; group 3 (Gp3) was administered EDTA (200 mg/kg); group 4 (Gp4) was administered bean cooking medium containing 20 mg/kg of EDTA; and group 5 (Gp5) was administered bean cooking medium containing 200 mg/kg of EDTA. The results showed no significant changes in liver and kidney functions in Gp2 while Gp3, Gp4, and Gp5 exhibited significant increases in adverse liver and kidney function markers. Hematocrit values were significantly decreased in Gp3 and Gp5, while the total white blood cells counts were significantly decreased in Gp3 and significantly increased in Gp5. The number of platelets was decreased in Gp3, Gp4, and Gp5. The blood levels of sodium (Na+), iron (Fe2+), and calcium (Ca2+) were decreased in Gp3, Gp4, and Gp5 due to the chelating effects of EDTA. The hepatic and renal architectures were disorganized in Gp3, Gp4, and Gp5 with some hemorrhagic manifestations in livers and kidneys of mice. These results demonstrate that EDTA in bean cooking is harmful in mice under the conditions of this study, and the potentially harmful effects in humans supports restricting its use.

The journal of Toxicology and pest control is one of the series issued twice by the Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, and is devoted to publication of original papers related to the interaction between insects and their environment. The goal of the journal is to advance the scientific understanding of mechanisms of toxicity. Emphasis will be placed on toxic effects observed at relevant exposures, which have direct impact on safety evaluation and risk assessment. The journal therefore welcomes papers on biology ranging from molecular and cell biology, biochemistry and physiology to ecology and environment, also systematics, microbiology, toxicology, hydrobiology, radiobiology and biotechnology. www.eajbs.eg.net

Renal failure is accompanied by oxidative stress, which is caused by enhanced production of reactive oxygen species and impaired antioxidant defense. Turmeric and Arabic gum have antioxidant activities and medicinal properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of two levels of turmeric and Arabic gum and their combination in the presence of medium protein diets on rats with chronic renal failure. A total of (54) rats weighting 200 ± 10g were fed on basal diet for 7 days for acclimatization. Rats divided into two main groups, the first main group (n=6) fed on basal diet for 8 weeks (Negative Control), while the second main group fed on basal diet containing2 % L-arginine (arginine diet) for 4 weeks to induce chronic renal failure then the second main group divided into 8 subgroups (n =6) for 4 weeks as following: Subgroup (1): fed on arginine diet containing 14% protein and used as a positive control group. Subgroup (2): fed on arginine diet containing 7% protein, and used medium protein diet group (MPD).Subgroups (3 and 4): fed on MPDs containing 3% and 6% Arabic gum, respectively. Subgroups (5 and 6): fed on MPDs containing 1% and 2% turmeric, respectively. Subgroup (7): fed on MPD containing 3% Arabic gum and 1% turmeric. Subgroup (8): fed on MPD containing 6% Arabic gum and 2% turmeric. During the experimental period, rats were weighted weekly, feed intake and body weight gain were recorded. At the end of experimental period, rats were scarified; blood samples were collected centrifuged and frozen until analysis. Creatinine, urea nitrogen and uric acid, total protein, Na, K, AST, ALT, glucose and lipid profile were measured. Our results concluded that, all experimental diets had a positive effect on renal functions and the other complications resulted from CRF either alone or combined with medium protein diet especially with high levels. This effect may be due to antioxidant potential of turmeric and Arabic gum.