Cadmium-Induced Perturbation of Spleen Redox Status: Therapeutic Role of Pumpkin Seed Protein Isolate

One of the major threats to humanity is from the exposure of heavy metals irrespective of its source. Cadmium is one of such heavy metals to which humans are exposed in their daily lives via food or environment. Regardless of this, there is no established or efficient way of recycling Cadmium. On the other hand, Pumpkin seeds have innumerable health aiding properties. The present study aims to understand the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of Pumpkin Seeds Protein Isolate (PSPI) against Cadmium mediated oxidative stress in spleen. Twenty male albino rats were divided into four groups; Control, Cadmium treated, Cadmium treated and PSPI 1 supplemented, Cadmium treated and PSPI 2 supplemented. After completion of treatment period (21 days), oxidative stress parameters, ROS generation levels and proinflammatory cytokines were measured along with histopathological evaluations. PSPI supplementation was observed to have significant free radical scavenging activities as evidenced by decreased lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide generation simultaneously with increased glutathione level, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Cadmium also caused an elevation in tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 as well as ROS generation levels which were substantially reduced upon supplementation with PSPI. Furthermore, cadmium-induced micro architectural changes in the spleen were also countered upon PSPI supplementation. In summary, both lower and higher doses of PSPI supplementation curtail the cadmium induced oxidative stress, ROS levels, proinflammatory cytokines and damage in the splenic tissue. The Results of this study necessitates further mechanistic study to establish key role of PSPI in amelioration of cadmium toxicity.