Antitoxic activity of spruce cone extract in acute lead acetate poisoning in experiment

Introduction. Lead contamination is continuing worldwide. The development of new effective drugs for lead poisoning is an urgent task.   The aim of the work is to evaluate the effectiveness of dry aqueous extract of spruce cones in lead poisoning.   Materials and methods. The experiment was carried out on 24 white mongrel rats of both sexes. Animals of the studied groups were administered aqueous solution of lead acetate. The animals of the third group were treated with the extract of cones of common spruce (extract) by intragastric administration 3 times a week for a month. Animals of the fourth group were treated with polypheman by intragastric administration 3 times a week for a month. The elemental composition of tissue samples of animals of the studied groups was determined on energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer QUANT’X. The free radical reaction with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl was used to determine the antioxidant activity of the extract.   Results. In groups of animals injected with lead acetate solution and treated with the extract and the comparison preparation polyphepan, a decrease in lead content in bones and brain tissues was observed compared to the content in animals injected with lead acetate solution without treatment. No effect of the extract on the motor function of the intestine was revealed. When determining the antiradical activity, it was found that the extract showed a pronounced ability to bind free radicals, comparable to the known antioxidant rutin.   Discussion. The use of the extract allows effective excretion of lead and prevents its deposition in bone tissue. Due to the ability of procyanidins to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, the extract is effective in brain damage caused by lead. The extract will also be effective in relieving oxidative stress resulting from lead poisoning.   Conclusion. The dry aqueous extract of cones of common spruce shows the ability to reduce the lead content in bones and brain tissues in comparison with the group that did not receive treatment for lead acetate poisoning. The extract is able not only to effectively reduce the lead content in the body, but also to fight the consequences of poisoning, due to its pronounced antiradical activity.