The protective role of Scoparia dulcis on tissue antioxidant defense system of rats exposed to cadmium

Abstract

The possible antioxidant property of aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis was tested in rats exposed to cadmium. Different groups of animals were treated with CdCl2 alone or in combination with graded levels of S. dulcis (i.e. 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body wt, respectively). Cadmium, a known prooxidant was administered subcutaneously (3 mg /kg body wt), once every week, for two weeks. The required dose of aqueous extract of S. dulcis was administered daily for 2 weeks by gavage. The results show that relative to controls, cadmium significantly (P significant antioxidant activity, sufficient to mitigate against free radical induced oxidative stress in experimental cadmium intoxication in the rat.