Evaluating the Protective Effect of Taraxacum Officinale against Oxidative Demage Induced by Lead (Pb) in Rats Exposed to Contaminated Diet

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) against lead toxicity. Lead is considered to be one of the oxidative stress inducer in different cells and organs. Female wistar rats were exposed to a diet containing 600 mg lead acetate/Kg food (Pb), or combined with 20 g fresh dandelion leaves/kg food (Pb-DD) and then they have been compared to a control group for 6 consecutive weeks. A number of hematological and serum biochemical markers were investigated. The results showed that the Pb group had a significant decrease in RBC and hemoglobin levels, but a significant increase in methemoglobin when compared to the control. RBC counts and hemoglobin levels were unchanged in the Pb-DD group, but methemoglobin percentage was significantly higher than in the control group. The Pb group showed a significant increase in the activities of AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphate, as well as total bilirubin and uric acid levels. Except for uric acid, dandelion supplementation has kept the previous markers within their biochemical ranges. However, no significant differences in albumin, cholesterol, creatinine, or calcium concentrations were observed in either Pb or Pb-DD treated animals. Histological examinations of the liver, kidney, and ovary revealed no significant differences between the Pb-DD-treated group and the control group. Pb, on the other hand, has caused cystic structures and vacuolization of the liver, as well as necrosis and micro calcifications of the kidney. The Pb group also showed ovary tissue degeneration, including the absence of corona radiata and granulosa cell apoptosis. In conclusion, adding dendelion to a Pb-contaminated diet significantly reduced metal toxicity in female rats.