Alteration in Metabolic Enzymes of Albino Rats under Cadmium Stress and their Modulation by Mentha Piperita

Abstract

Cadmium is a heavy metal posing severe risks to human health without any physiological function in the human body. Cadmium is found regularly in soil, rocks and ores, thus natural exposure is an important aspect, but increasing industrial application has put it in the category of bio-hazardous metals. Anticorrosive agents, stabilizer in PVC products, colour pigments, neutron-absorber in nuclear power plants, the fabrication of nickel-cadmium batteries and Phosphate fertilizers carry a big cadmium load. Industrialization and pollution are leading contamination to higher ranges. Although WHO has decided maximum permissible limit as 0.005 mg/L, but affected areas have groundwater cadmium content far away from this standard. The present study has been designed to estimate the toxic effects of cadmium at the level of metabolic enzymes in albino rats and ameliorative potential of Mentha piperita against it. The LD₅₀ of cadmium was estimated to be 88 mg/kg body weight and sub-lethal doses has been calculated as per this standard. Exposure to sublethal doses of cadmium significantly increases the level of hepatic transaminases (AST, ALT), phosphatases (ALP, ACP) and dehydrogenase (LDH). Treatment with Mentha (500 mg/kg body weight) following cadmium intoxication significantly reduced the enzyme levels to normalcy, exerting its potential as a future remedial agent against heavy metal toxicity.