Hepatoprotective potential of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil against hexavalent chromium-induced hematotoxicity, biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical changes in male rats.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) is widely known as a potential hepatotoxic in humans and animals and its toxicity is associated with oxidative stress. So, an in vivo study was outlined to assess the protective and therapeutic role of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil (rosemary; REO) against Cr VI-induced hepatotoxicity. Male Wistar rats were assigned into five equal groups (1st group served as control; 2nd and 3rd groups received 0.5 ml/kg BW REO and 2 mg/kg BW Cr VI, respectively; 4th group pretreated with REO then injected with K2Cr2O7; and 5th group received Cr VI then treated with REO for 3 weeks). Results revealed that rats exposed to Cr VI showed a valuable changes in hematological parameters and an increase in oxidative stress markers (Protein carbonyl, TBARS, and H2O2) and a noteworthy decline in glutathione (GSH) content. Furthermore, a considerable decrease in enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GPx, and GST), transaminases (AST and ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, as well as total protein and albumin levels, was detected, while serum liver function biomarkers were increased significantly. In addition, the evaluation of histopathological and immunohistochemical PCNA expression showed significant variations in the liver that confirm the biochemical results. Administration of REO pre- or post-chromium treatment restored the parameters cited above near to the normal values. Otherwise, individual intake with REO slumped lipid peroxidation and gotten better antioxidant status significantly. Conclusively, REO proved to be an effective antioxidant in modulating Cr VI-induced hepatotoxicity, especially in the pretreated rats.