Protective Effect of Psidium guajava in Arsenic-induced Oxidative Stress and Cytological Damage in Rats

This study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves against sodium arsenite-induced toxicity in experimental rats. Animals were divided into four groups. Control group received arsenic free distilled water and three treatment groups (II, III, and IV) exposed to the arsenic (NaAsO(2)) (20 mg/kg b.wt) through drinking water. Group III and IV were administered a daily oral dose of P. guajava leaf extract 50 and 100 mg/kg b.wt. (AEPG(50) and AEPG(100)) for the period of 6 weeks. Blood samples and organs were collected at the end of the experiment. Arsenic exposure resulted in significant rise in lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels in erythrocyte, liver, kidney, and brain. In addition toxin decreased (P<0.05) the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities in the studied tissues. Residual effect of arsenic in various tissues was also observed. Histopathological results revealed mild to severe type of necrosis and degenerative changes in kidney and liver of arsenic intoxicated animals. Cytological alteration in brain tissue was also observed. Treatment with AEPG(100) (aqueous extract of P. guajava) @100 mg/kg body weight) significantly restored activities of oxidative stress markers like LPO levels, GSH levels, SOD, and CAT activities but having the limited protective activity of the herbal extract was observed on tissues architecture. It is therefore concluded that prophylactic co-administration of AEPG could provide specific protection from oxidative injury and to some extent on tissue damage.