Benha University

Alshimaa Rafat Abdelaziz Ali Taha

Asst. Lecturer

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Pathology

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
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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.
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