Role of some Egyptian medicinal plants against liver and kidney toxicity induced by cadmium chloride.

The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of some local medicinal plants against liver and kidney toxicity induced by cadmium chloride. Methanolic extracts of Acacia nilotica and Retama raetam were used in this study. Furthermore, histopathological and histochemical investigations were done. Cadmium chloride caused a significant increase in serum AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, urea, and creatinine, cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and HDL levels Administration of Acacia nilotica and Retama raetma significantly inhibit that increase. Cadmium chloride induced a significant decrease in serum total protein, albumin, globulin levels, albumin/globulin ratio, blood SOD, and GPx, while Acacia nilotica and Retama raetam increase. Cadmium chloride caused a significant increase in MDA and NO, while a significant decrease in MDA and NO after Acacia nilotica and Retama raetam administration. These results suggested a beneficial effect of these plant extracts against experimentally-induced hepato- and nephro-toxicity of cadmium, and the possible mechanism of the protective effects may be partly due to the antioxidant activity of these plants.