Protective Effect of Ascorbic Acid, Biopropolis and Royal Jelly against Aluminum Toxicity in Rats Magda E. Mahmoud1 and Samaa S. Elsoadaa2*

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of ascorbic acid (AA), biopropolis and royal jelly in alleviating the toxicity of Aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) on body weight gain, feed efficiency and biochemical parameters in rats with hostological examination of sections from liver and kidney. Thirty female Wistar–Albino rats (160-170 g) were randomly divided into five equal groups of six rats each. As normal drinking water was given to the control group, while the four groups II, III, IV and V received 34 mg AlCl3/ L in drinking water daily. Group II received only AlCl₃. Group III, IV and V were administrated orally with ascorbic acid, biopropolis and royal jelly, respectively at a dose 50 mg/kg bw twice a week for 8 weeks. AlCl₃ decreased significantly body weight gain and feed efficiency. While treatment of ascorbic acid (AA), propolis and royal plus AlCl₃ normalized their to control value. The relative weight (percent of body weight) of liver and kidney increased when compared with control while the brain did not illustrate any change. The level of urea, and the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were increased, while total protein and albumin were decreased in serum of rats treated with AlCl₃. It can be concluded that ascorbic acid, propolis and royal jelly have beneficial influences and could be able to antagonize AlCl₃ toxicity.

Keywords: Aluminum chloride: toxicity: ascorbic acid: biopropolis: royal jelly: rats