Protective effects of Apocynin against Cadmium toxicity and serum parameters; evidence of a cardio-protective influence

Abstract Objective Apocynin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyacetophenone) an NADPH oxidase inhibitor isolated from the medicinal plant Picrorhiza kurroa (Scrophulariaceae) has been reported to possess antihypertensive properties. Cadmium exposures are reported to induce tissue damage leading to hypertension. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of apocynin on anti-atherogenic index (AAI), coronary risk index (CRI), cardio-protective index as well as biochemical and electrolyte parameters in the blood following cadmium exposure. Method Thirty-six (36) adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Group 1 as control, 2 and 3 receiving 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight apocynin respectively, group 4 received 100 mg/L cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in their drinking water, while group 5 and 6 received 100 mg/L CdCl2 in their drinking and 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight apocynin respectively for eight weeks. Cadmium concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Biochemical and electrolyte parameters in serum were determined using an automated biochemical multi-analyzer at the end of eight weeks. Results Apocynin did not significantly (p Conclusion Apocynin showed some protective effects on cadmium-induced tissue damage, and these effects could be tissue specific.