The mechanisms in the origin of lead and manganese poisoning (Pb-Mn) are multiple, and potentially touch all the body cells. For this purpose, we are interested in oxidative stress induced by Pb-Mn at the erythrocytic level at a dose of 0.2% (Pb) and 4.79 mg/ml (Mn) during the period of gestation and lactation in wistars rats and the ability of mint essential oil, Mentha spicata (MEO) to restore or not this state of stress. The extraction of MEO “HEM” via steam distillation allows us to obtain MEO with an output of 0.49%. Moreo-ver, the analysis of the anti-oxidativeerythrocytic status showed that the co-exposure to Pb-Mn significantly increases enzymes activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and significantly reduces the enzyme activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), by causing a dysfunction in the anti-oxidative defense system. In contrast, the administration of MEO via intra-peritoneal (IP) during a period of 21 days in the previously Pb-Mn intoxicated rats, that MEO contributes significantly in the improvement of the defenses against radical aggression, through a recovery at the level of anti-oxidative enzymes activities by increasing their ability to eliminate radical compounds.

The essential oil of Pimpinella anisum has been widely used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of diseases. This study was aimed to test, in vivo, effect of exposition to mercury chloride (100mg/L) in wistar rats during the gestation and lactation period. On the other hand, treatment of pups with essential oil of P. anisum (0.25 ml/kg) for 21 days. The behavioural patterms evaluated was spatial memory ( Morris water maze) and the determination of mercury concentration in blood and brain. The data were analysed by two way analyses of variance (ANOVAs). When a significant difference was found, the Student Newman Keuls post hoc test was conducted. The results of the present study demonstrated that exposure to mercury in developmental period induced, significantly decrease of the learning performance (p < 0.01; p < 0.05) compared to control rats. Thus, the concentration of mercury in the intoxicated group is high in the blood and brain. However, the administration of P. anisum essential oil resulted into an improvement of learning perfor-mance (p< 0.01; p< 0.05) and reduction of mercury blood and brain mercury. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that mercury exposure during the developmental period induces learning disabilities and remains trapped in blood and brain. This could be improved by the treatment with Pimpinella anisum essential oil.

The present study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of the extract of Hordeum vulgare L to restore the adverse effects induced by the aluminum chloride (AlCl3) in Wistar rats, and this is through gavage with a dose of 13 ml/kg/d during a period of 21 days. H.vulgare L extraction by mac-eration allowed us to obtain an aqueous extract with a yield of 9,7%. Expo-sure to AlCl3at a concentration of 100 mg/kg in rats showed a decrease in body and kidney weight compared with those of the witness. This AlCl3 poi-soning also revealed a disruption of the various biochemical parameters, notably renal biomarkers. Indeed, the histological study showed very marked lesions in the renal tissue. In addition, the administration of aqueous extract of Hordeum vulgare L(H.V.A.E)resulted in a regain of body and kidney weight in rats compared to intoxicated rats. The results of the renal biochemical assays (urea, uric acid and creatinine) show a correction of the values following the administration of (H.V.A.E) compared to those of the intoxicat-ed animals. The analysis of antioxidant status in the kidney indicates that (H.V.A.E) restored the activity of the different antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CATand GPx) in (H.V.A.E)-treated and intoxicated rats. In effect, the histolog-ical study undertaken has shown a marked improvement in renal tissue ar-chitecture in intoxicated rats and treated with (H.V.A.E). This confirms that (H.V.A.E) protects the kidney against the toxicity of aluminum chloride.