Effect of Ellagic Acid Extracted from Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) on Thyroid and Parathyroid Gland of Adult Rats Exposed to Lead Acetate

Abstract

Abstract: The present study was carried out to investigate the protective and treatment effect of pomegranate extract (ellagic acid) to treat the toxic effect of lead acetate. Forty adult male rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. First group kept as control, second group (T1) dosed lead acetate (10 mg/kg B.W.), third group (T2) dosed ellagic acid (100 mg/kg B.W.) plus lead acetate (10 mg/kg B.W.), while the fourth group dosed (200 mg/kg B.W.) of ellagic acid plus lead acetate (10 mg/kg B.W.). Blood samples collected at (2, 4, 6) weeks for measuring the following parameters: serum T3, T4, parathyroid hormone and Ca+2 levels. At the end of the experiment (42 days) six animals of each group were scarified to examine the histological structure of thyroid and parathyroid gland. Results revealed a decrease in thyroid hormones (T3, T4) in lead acetate group (T1) and protective dose of ellagic acid (T2) group at day 28 and 42 days of experiment compared with control group, while treatment dose of ellagic acid (T3) causes a significant increase of thyroid hormones at the two period above compared with lead acetate and protective dose of ellagic acid (T1 and T2) groups. On other hand exposure of rats to lead acetate revealed a decrease in parathyroid hormone and Ca+2 levels compared with control group at 28 and 42 days of experiment for parathyroid hormone and at all period of treatment for Ca+2, also protective and treatment dose of ellagic acid caused elevation of parathyroid hormone at 28, 42 days of experiment compared with T1 group, while treatment dose of ellagic acid resulted in significant increment of Ca+2 levels at second and last period of experiment. It is concluded that the deleterious effect of lead acetate on thyroid and parathyroid gland of rats may be treated by ellagic acid especially in treatment dose which lead to a significant improvement of their functions activity.