Download PDF
Planta Med 2010; 76(3): 241-244
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1186141
Pharmacology
Original Papers
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Individual and Combined Effect of Meso-2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid and Allicin on Blood and Tissue Lead Content in Mice

Mohammad Reza Aslani1 , Vahid Najarnezhad1 , Mehrdad Mohri1
  • 1Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
Further Information

Publication History

received April 29, 2009 revised August 10, 2009

accepted August 18, 2009

Publication Date:
17 September 2009 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

It has been shown that garlic and its main bioactive component, allicin, as natural chelating agents can reduce blood and tissue lead content in animal models. In this study the effect of allicin, alone or combined with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), in decreasing lead content of blood and tissues of mice was evaluated. Swiss albino mice were exposed to 1000 ppm of lead in water for 35 days and then placed in various treatment groups including groups administered oral allicin, DMSA, or their combination. The concentrations of lead in blood, kidney, liver, bone and brain were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Both, allicin and DMSA decreased the blood and tissue lead concentration. There was an additive effect of the combined administration of allicin and DMSA in reducing bone lead. No side effect was observed in all treated groups. Combined use of DMSA and allicin seems to be a better choice in the treatment of chronic lead intoxication.

Key words

lead poisoning - chelating agent - allicin - meso‐2,3‐dimecaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) - garlic - Allium sativa - Liliaceae

References

  • 1 Kosnett M J. Lead. Ford MD, Delaney KA, Ling LJ, Erickson T Clinical toxicology. Philadelphia; Saunders 2001
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Gwaltney-Beant S. Lead. Plumlee KH Clinical veterinary toxicology. St. Louis; Mosby 2003
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Radostits O M, Gay C C, Hinchcliff K W, Constable P D. Veterinary medicine, 10th edition. London; Saunders & Elsevier 2007
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Schwarts J, Levin R. The risk of lead toxicity in homes with lead paint hazard.  Environ Res. 1991;  54 1-7
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Patrick L. Lead toxicity, part II: the role of free radical damage and the use of antioxidants in the pathology and treatment of lead toxicity.  Altern Med Rev. 2006;  11 114-126
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Patrick L. Lead toxicity, a review of the literature. Part I: exposure, evaluation and treatment.  Altern Med Rev. 2006;  11 2-22
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Flora S J S, Bhattacharya R, Vijayaraghavan R. Combined therapeutic potential of meso-2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid and calcium disodium edentate on the mobilization and distribution of lead in experimental lead intoxication in rats.  Fundam Appl Toxicol. 1995;  25 233-240
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Denver M C, Tell L A, Galey F D, Trupkiewicz J G. Comparison of two heavy metal chelators for treatment of lead toxicosis in cockatiels.  Am J Vet Res. 2000;  61 935-940
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Knight T E, Kent M, Junk J E. Succimer for treatment of lead toxicosis in two cats.  J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001;  218 1946-1948
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Casteel S W. Lead. Peterson ME, Talcott PA Small animal toxicology, 2nd edition. St. Louis; Saunders-Elsevier 2006
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Kalia K, Flora S J S. Strategies for safe and effective therapeutic measures for chronic arsenic and lead poisoning.  J Occup Health. 2005;  47 1-21
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Najar-Nezhad V, Aslani M R, Balali-Mood M. Evaluation of allicin for the treatment of experimental induced subacute lead poisoning in sheep.  Biol Trace Elem Res. 2008;  126 141-147
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Amagase H, Petesch B L, Mtsuura H, Kasuga S, Itakura Y. Intake of garlic and its bioactive components.  J Nutr. 2001;  13 955-962
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Miron T, Sivaraman H, Rabinkov A, Mirelman D, Wilchek M. A method for continuous production of allicin using immobilized allinase.  Anal Biochem. 2006;  351 152-154
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Prasad K, Laxdal V A, Yu M, Raney B L. Antioxidant activity of allicin, an active principle in garlic.  Mol Cell Biochem. 1995;  148 183-189
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Chung L Y. The antioxidant properties of garlic compounds: allyl cystein, alliin, allicin and allyl disulfide.  J Med Food. 2006;  9 205-213
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Xu Z F, Jones M M. Comparative mobilization of lead by chelating agents.  Toxicology. 1988;  53 277-288
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Pappas J B, Ahlquist J T, Allen E M, Banner W. Oral dimercaptosuccinic acid and ongoing exposure to lead: effects on heme synthesis and lead distribution in a rat model.  Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1995;  133 121-129
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Pande M, Mehta A, Pant B P, Flora S J S. Combined administration of a chelating agent and an antioxidant in the prevention and treatment of acute lead intoxication in rats.  Environ Toxicol Phamacol. 2001;  9 173-184
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Varnai V M, Piasek M, Blanusa M, Juresa D, Saric M, Kostial K. Ascorbic acid supplementation dose not improve efficacy of meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid treatment in lead-exposed suckling rats.  Pharmacol Toxicol. 2003;  93 180-185
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Riess M L, Halm J K. Lead poisoning in an adult: lead mobilization by pregnancy?.  J Gen Intern Med. 2007;  22 1212-1215
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Anderson O. Principles and recent developments in chelation treatment of metal intoxication.  Chem Rev. 1999;  99 2683-2710
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Cory-Slechta D A, Weiss B, Coe C. Mobilization of lead over the course of calcium disodium ethylendiamine tetraacetate chelation therapy.  J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1987;  293 804-813
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Porru S, Alssio L. The use of chelating agents in occupational lead poisoning.  Occup Med. 1996;  46 41-48
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Gurer H, Ercal N. Can antioxidants be beneficial in the treatment of lead poisoning?.  Free Radic Biol Med. 2000;  29 927-945
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Foster B C, Foster M S, Vandenhoek S, Krantis A, Budzinski J W, Arnason J T, Gallicano K D, Choudri S. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrom P450 3A4 and p-glycoprotein inhibition by garlic.  J Pharmacol Pharm Sci. 2001;  4 176-184
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 Freeman F, Kodera Y. Garlic chemistry: stability of s-(2-propenyl)2-propene-1-sulfinothioate (allicin) in blood, solvents, and simulated physiological fluids.  J Agric Food Chem. 1995;  43 2332-2338
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 28 Miron T, Bercovici T, Rabinkov A, Wilchek M, Mrelman D. Allicin: preparation and applications.  Anal Biochem. 2004;  331 364-369
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 29 Massadeh M M, Al-Safi S A, Momani I F, Alomary A A, Jaradat Q M, Alkofahi A S. Garlic (Allium sativum L.) as a potential antidote for cadmium and lead intoxication: cadmium and lead distribution and analysis in different mice organs.  Biol Trace Elem Res. 2007;  120 227-234
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 30 Senapati S K, Dey S, Dwivedi S K, Swarup D. Effect of garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract on tissue lead level in rats.  J Ethnopharmacol. 2001;  76 229-232
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 31 Hanafy M S, Shalaby S M, El-fouly M A, Abd el-Aziz M I, Soliman F A. Effect of garlic on lead contents in chicken tissue.  Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 1994;  101 157-158
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 32 Adegbesan B O, Adenuga G A. Effect of lead exposure on liver lipid peroxidative and antioxidant defense systems of protein-undernourished rats.  Biol Trace Elem Res. 2007;  116 219-225
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar

Prof. Dr., DVM, DVSc M. R. Aslani

Department of Clinical Sciences
School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

PO Box 91 775–1793

Mashhad 9177948974

Iran

Phone: + 98 51 18 76 38 51

Fax: + 98 51 18 76 38 53

Email: mraslani@um.ac.ir