Analysis of Antioxidant Effects of Quercetin, Rutin and Phagnalon Rupestre on Rats Intoxicated by Aluminium

Aluminium (Al) is one of the most abundant chemical elements in nature and metal in the earth’s crust. Accumulation of Aluminium ions (Al3+) in target tissues results into formation of oxygen radicals causing oxidative damage through inducing cytotoxicity. The aim of this study is to analyse the antioxidant effect of selected polyphenols (quercetin, rutin and a medicinal plant phagnalon rupestre) on rats intoxicated by aluminium with specific focus on the heart.This experiment was carried out on 6 groups of wistar albino rats ,group 1; positive control, group 2; Al male intoxicated group treated with quercetin, group 3; Al male intoxicated group treated with rutin, group 4; Al female intoxicated, group 5; Al intoxicated treated with phagnalon rupestre , group 6; female control. Several Biochemical assays were carried out such as protein test, Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) assay, catalase assay (CAT), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) assay, superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay, Glutathione reduced and glutathione peroxidase (GSH & GPX) assay, lipids (cholesterol & triglycerides) assays. Aluminium intoxicated group showed decrease in the content of protein compared to the control and treated groups. Aluminium intoxicated group showed an increase in the activity of thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) but a significant decrease in the activity of catalase (CAT), glutathione S transferase assays (GST) compared to the control group. Biomarkers of oxidative stress significantly reduced in heart Al-induced oxidative stress by administration of Quercetin. Therefore, Quercetin is an effective antioxidant against oxidative stress caused by free radicals produced because of aluminium exposure. Keywords: antioxidant ;aluminium ; quercetin ; rutin ; phagnalon rupestre