Alshimaa Rafat Abdelaziz Ali Taha
Asst. Lecturer
Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation of Spirulina platensis, pomegranate peel extract, and their combination in alleviating heavy metal mixture-induced hepatic damage
Benha Veterinary Medical Journal • 2025
Publication Information
Authors
Alshimaa R. Taha, Abdel-Baset I. El-Mashad, Ahmed A. Tantawy, Aziza A. Amin
Keywords
Heavy metal mixture, Hepatotoxicity
Spirulina platensis Pomegranate peel extract immunohistochemical
Histopathological
Journal
Benha Veterinary Medical Journal
Publisher
Not Available
Volume
49
Issue
2
Pages
7
publication.type
Local
Paper Link
Not Available
Supplementary Materials
Not Available
Abstract
This study investigates the potential protective effects of Spirulina platensis (S. platensis), pomegranate peel extract (PPE), and their combination against heavy metal mixture (HMM)-induced hepatotoxicity. Fifty male albino rats were randomly allocated into five groups. Group 1 (control) received distilled water (1.5 mL/kg, orally). Groups 2-5 administered orally a mixture of lead acetate (40 mg/kg), mercuric chloride (1.0 mg/kg), and cadmium chloride (2.30 mg/kg) four days/week for nine weeks. One hour before HMM administration, rats in groups 3, 4, and 5 received PPE (500 mg/kg), S. platensis (150 mg/kg), and their combination, respectively, for the same duration. Liver sections of intoxicated rats revealed hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis, and occasional chronic cholangitis. Liver fibrosis with a noticeable increase in the Masson trichrome-stained collagen fibers in the portal areas was recorded. The immunohistochemical study revealed that the area % of α-SMA immunoreactivity in the liver of the HMM-intoxicated rats was significantly higher than the control. PPE, S. platensis, and their combination co-treatment significantly attenuated this hepatic cell damage, lessened liver fibrosis, and reduced α-SMA immunoexpression compared to the intoxicated group. In conclusion, both PPE and S. platensis conferred hepatic protection; however, Spirulina exerted greater efficacy in attenuating liver fibrosis. Furthermore, their combination demonstrated a synergistically stronger hepatoprotective impact.
