Alleviation of hepatotoxicity by natural chelators in lead-induced poisoning in rats

Aims: The study intends to monitor the consequences of lead on the body, its reversal by natural chelators (chitosan and chitosamine), and comparison of monotherapy with the combination using the synthetic ones. Materials and Methods: A total of 42 albino Wistar male rats (200–250 g) were divided into seven groups (n = 6). Except for the first group which received sodium acetate 1 g/L (drinking water, vehicle control), all groups received lead acetate 0.4 mg/kg body weight peroral (p.o.). Group II (toxic) received merely lead acetate, whereas the third and fourth groups received 0.2 g/kg (p.o.) of chitosan and chitosamine, respectively. Groups V–VII received ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) 495 mg/kg (p.o.). In addition, the sixth and seventh groups received chitosan and chitosamine (0.2 g/kg) (p.o.), respectively. The hematological, biochemical, oxidative stress parameters, number of porphobilinogen molecules formed/h/mL, and histopathology were assessed. The data obtained were compared using analysis of variance following Tukey’s test. Results: The results revealed a statistically significant reduction in the hemogram parameters, antioxidant enzymes, porphobilinogen molecules and an increase in oxidative stress, liver biomarkers along with malondialdehyde in the toxic group in comparison with control and treatment groups. The histopathological findings revealed a significant improvement in the chitosan and chitosamine treatment groups when compared with the toxic group, whereas the results obtained from combination therapy with respect to its monotherapy were most significant than the monotherapy alone. Conclusion: Chitosan and chitosamine are found to improve hemato- and hepatotoxicity by chelation and can be used as potent detoxifiers in heavy metal toxicities.