The effect of some natural products on blood chemistry of albino rats under the influence of iron overload [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The present work was performed to evaluate the protective effect of green tea or licorice on blood chemistry under the influence of the undue effects of iron overload. Male albino rats were fed prepared basal diet containing 1500 mg of ferric iron / kg, iron overload diet was concomitantly administered with a daily oral dose of green tea aqueous extract equivalent to 3.5 mg /100g b wt / day or 100 mg / kg b wt / day of licorice aqueous extract for eight weeks. Iron overload exerted a well marked increase in serum iron level associated with a significant increase in lipid profile, serum aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) activities as well as a significant increase in serum urea and creatinine. The obtained results were statistically compared with iron adequate and iron deficient diet fed groups. The concomitant oral administration of green tea or licorice with iron overload diet exerted a significant decrease in serum iron levels; a more dramatic lowering effect was elicited by licorice, which must be taken into consideration. Apart from the negative effect of the licorice on HDL-cholesterol, the protective effect of the two test plants against the undue effects of iron overload was indicated by the well marked improvement in liver and kidney function as well as the reduction of increased lipid profile.

Summary in Arabic.

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