Protective effects of Allium sativum essential oil against lead nitrate-induced cardiotoxicity: Modulation of lipid metabolism, nitric oxide dynamics, inflammatory mediators, and histological profiles in Swiss albino mice

Abstract

Background

Lead (Pb²⁺) is a toxic metal known to induce oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. Natural compounds like Allium sativum essential oil (ASEO) offer potential therapeutic benefits against lead-induced damage, but their cardioprotective effects remain underexplored. This study investigates the efficacy of ASEO in mitigating cardiovascular toxicity induced by lead nitrate in male Swiss albino mice.

Methods

Thirty-six male mice were divided into six groups: Control, Lead Nitrate (50 mg/kg), Lead Nitrate + Low-dose ASEO (50 mg/kg), Lead Nitrate + High-dose ASEO (80 mg/kg), Lead Nitrate + Silymarin (25 mg/kg), and Lead Nitrate + Olive Oil. After 12 days of lead exposure, treatments were administered for 30 days. Key cardiovascular parameters such as lipid profiles (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL), nitric oxide (NO), and inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-10, NF-κB) were evaluated alongside histological analysis of cardiac tissue.

Results

Lead nitrate exposure significantly increased total cholesterol (88.27 µg/mL) and LDL (93.78 µg/mL) while reducing HDL (17.51 µg/mL) compared to controls (P < 0.001). High-dose ASEO lowered total cholesterol (66.07 µg/mL) and LDL (49.62 µg/mL) while increased HDL (27.2 µg/mL) (P < 0.001). NO levels, reduced by lead exposure, were significantly restored by high-dose ASEO (P < 0.001). Inflammatory markers, including TNF-α, NF-kB, and IL-6, were elevated in the lead group but decreased significantly following ASEO treatment (P < 0.001). Histological analysis showed that ASEO markedly preserved myocardial architecture, reducing degeneration and inflammation.

Conclusion

High-dose ASEO demonstrated significant cardioprotective effects against lead-induced toxicity by improving lipid profiles, enhancing NO levels, and modulating inflammatory markers. Further studies are warranted to validate these results.