Ameliorative Effects of Red Lentil Extract on Sodium Arsenite-induced Oxidative Stress in Rats

Background: Arsenic is a potent environmental toxic agent and leads to the development of various hazardous effects on human health. All human populations are exposed to arsenic and its compounds through occupational or environmental processes. Epidemiological studies also suggested that lentils through a numerous biological activities including antioxidant, anticancer, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, as well as reducing blood lipid and the risk of cardiovascular diseases admit protection against chronic diseases. Objectives: The current study aimed at assessing the protective effect of the red lentil extract (RLE) on sodium arsenite (SA) induced oxidative stress in animals. Methods: Twenty-four Wistar male rats were divided into 4 groups. The first group (control group) received normal saline (2 mL/kg) per os for 25 days. Groups 2 - 4 were treated with SA (10 mg/kg) per os for 10 days; and the groups 3 and 4 received 100 and 200 mg/kg of RLE per os for 15 days, respectively, after treatment with SA. Results: Results showed that total phenolic content in crude RLE was 50.6 mg catechin equivalent/g of dry weight. In SA treated groups, serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the liver increased. Whereas, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase and the content of sulfhydryl groups (SH-groups) significantly decreased in liver in the intervention group, compared with those of the control group (P < 0.05). Treatment with RLE reduced the serum level of AST, ALT, and ALP and the level of MDA in the liver, while the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and the level of SH-groups increased. Conclusions: It can be concluded that RLE restored the activity of antioxidant enzymes and serum markers in SA-treated rats, probably by scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative stress as an antioxidant.