The Effectiveness of Levamisole and Broccoli in Lead Poisoning: Hematobiochemical Changes and Tissue Damage in the Liver, Kidney, and Spleen of Wistar Rats

Abstract

Lead, a heavy metal, has emerged as one of the most significant pollutants, bearing irreversible consequences on human and animal health in conjunction with industrial development. Presently, the use of medicinal plants to alleviate the adverse effects of heavy metal toxicity has captured the attention of researchers. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the impact of levamisole and broccoli extract on the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins, hematological parameters, and histopathological alterations in the liver, kidney, and spleen tissues within a lead poisoning model of rats. This experimental investigation spanned 28 days, involving 42 male Wistar rats categorized into seven groups: a control group, a lead acetate (AL) group administered at 1000 ppm in drinking water, a broccoli (B) group at 300 mg/kg/day, a levamisole (LE) group at 2.5 mg/kg/day, and combination groups of lead and broccoli (AL + B), lead and levamisole (AL + LE), and lead, broccoli, and levamisole (AL + LE + B). Upon completion of the study, hematological and biochemical parameters were assessed, and serum protein concentrations were analyzed using electrophoresis. Liver, kidney, and spleen tissues were fixed and subjected to histopathological examination with H&E staining. The findings indicated a significant decrease in white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), and hemoglobin (Hb) levels in the AL group compared to other groups (p < 0.01). Conversely, the B group exhibited a notable increase in RBC and WBC compared to the AL group (p < 0.05). The most pronounced lead‐induced damage was observed in the liver, resulting in elevated levels of specific enzymes such as AST and ALT in the AL group, accompanied by a decline in albumin and total protein (p < 0.001). A reduction in globulin levels, including Beta‐2 globulin, was noted in the AL + B and AL + LE groups compared to the AL group (p < 0.001, p < 0.05). Histopathological findings also unveiled increased infiltration of inflammatory cells and hemorrhage in the liver tissue, followed by the spleen, significantly higher in the AL group compared to other experimental groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, congestion and inflammation were evident in the spleen tissue compared to other groups. These tissue damages were mitigated in other combination treatment groups. Based on the aforementioned results, the combination of broccoli and levamisole is deemed effective in ameliorating liver and spleen injuries caused by lead and enhancing biochemical parameters and serum proteins.