**Modification by Aqueous Extracts of** *Allium kurrat L.* **and** *Ricinus communis L.* **of Cyanide Nephrotoxicity on Balb/C Mice**

#### Fahmy G. Elsaid1,2

*1Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura 2Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 1Egypt 2Saudi Arabia* 

#### **1. Introduction**

306 Oxidative Stress – Environmental Induction and Dietary Antioxidants

Ziegler, R. (1991). Vegetables, fruits and carotenoids and risk of cancer, *American Journal of* 

#### **1.1 Cyanide toxicity**

Cyanides are components of electroplating solutions, fertilizers, fumigant mixtures, metal polishes and rodenticides. It is an environmental factor has been associated with many intoxication episodes in humans and animals resulting from the ingestion of foods, environmental pollution, chemical war, suicide, homicide, occupational factors and use in some drugs such as nitroprusside and laetrile (Watts 1998). In plants, cyanide can be found mainly as cyanogenic glycosides, as found in *Manihot* sp. (cassava), *Linum* sp., *Lotus* sp., *Phaseolus lunatu*s, *Sorghum* sp.(Conn 1978) and the content of this substance can be high as 100-800 mg/kg of the plant material (Poulton 1993). Acute poisoning ingestion by an adult of 50 ml of liquid hydrogen cyanide or 200–300 mg of one of its salts is likely to be fatal without treatment, though death is likely to be delayed for at least 1 hour. Acute cyanide toxicity is lethal, resulting in death due to respiratory failure (Greer and Jo, 1995), while chronic cyanide exposure has been implicated in the etiology of goitre (Cliff et al., 1986), tropical ataxic neuropathy (Osuntokun, 1981). Regardless the route of exposure, cyanide is rapidly absorbed into the blood stream and distributed throughout the body. Cyanide concentrates in erythrocytes through binding to methemoglobin (Towill et al., 1978) and cause hypothyroidism that leads to goiter (Kamalu and Agharanya, 1991; Elsaid and Elkomy 2006). Subacute oral administration of cyanide in rats produced changes in several biochemical indices and pathology in various organs (Tulswani et al., 2005).

#### **1.2 Cyanide toxicity and oxidative stress**

Cyanide-induced cellular oxidative stress, i.e., increase of superoxide anions, lipid peroxide, hydroxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide and others, appears to arise through multiple pathways. At the cellular level, cyanide produces chemical hypoxia by inhibiting

Modification by Aqueous Extracts of *Allium kurrat L.*

**1.4 Cyanide toxicity and renal functions** 

filtration rate (Elsaid and Elkomy 2006).

mice.

**2. Material and methods** 

and freshly prepared every three days.

**1.5 Cyanide cytotoxicity and gene expression** 

and *Ricinus communis L*. of Cyanide Nephrotoxicity on Balb/C Mice 309

The recorded renal toxicity was also detected by the elevation in serum uric acid as well as in serum and urine creatinine and urea levels (Elsaid and Elkomy 2006). However, the protective effect of garlic on kidney indices could be attributed to its antioxidant properties because it has been found that ROS may be involved in the impairment of glomerular

The rat P53 gene consists of only 10 exons. In cells with DNA injury, P53 can stop the cell cycle through p21 protein and then promote DNA repair. When DNA is seriously damaged, P53 can induce the cell to undergo programmed cell death to maintain the stability of the genome and cells. The loss of P53 function activates oncogenes and inactivates cancer suppressor genes, playing an essential role in multistage carcinogenesis (Harris 1993). Bcl-2 is constitutively expressed and localized to the outer mitochondrial membrane where it attenuates cell death signals to promote cell survival (Kroemer, 1998). Bcl-2 exerts an antiapoptotic effect by inhibiting mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization to suppress release of cytochrome c into the cytosol (Gross et al., 1999). Bcl-2 may also inhibit necroticlike cell death by blocking the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore to maintain cellular ATP levels within survival limits (Garland and Halestrap, 1997). Forced over-expression of Bcl-2 can block cell death produced by a variety of stimuli, including cyanide (Tsujimoto et al., 1997). Overexpression of Bcl-2 produced mitochondrial dysfunction (reduced membrane potential), caspase-independent apoptosis, and sensitization of the cells to cyanide-induced toxicity (Zhang et al., 2007). In various liver and kidney injury models, IL-4 has been shown to be both protective and deleterious. IL-4 accelerates severe hepatitis in mice deficient in suppressor of cytokine signaling proteins through activation of natural killer T cells (Naka et al., 2001), and it is believed that IL-4 plays a key role in Con A-induced hepatitis via augmentation of Vα-14 natural killer T cellmediated cytotoxicity (Kaneko et al., 2000). The toxic effects of cyanide in kidney of rabbits

have been reported after repeated exposures (Okolie and Osagie, 1999).

Although, the mechanism of toxicity of cyanide in kidney has not been delineated so far, so the study aimed to investigate the genotoxic effect of cyanide to connect the toxicity of cyanide in kidney with the physiological functions of the kidney and gene expression of some genes. Also, this work tries to discuss the antidotal effect of aqueous extracts of both *Allium kurrat* and *Ricinus communis L.,* against cyanide poisoning on kidney of Balb/c

**Natural Products Extracts:** *Allium kurrat* (Egyptian leek), (*family Alliaceae*) and *Ricinus communis* Linn*,* (Castor) (*family Euphorbiaceae* ) were used in this study. The leaves of leek and Castor were separately immersed in distilled water for 24 hours, filtered, stored at -20°C

**Animal grouping:** Twenty mice weighed (45g) were used in the present experiment. The local committee approved the design of the experiments and the protocol conforms to the

cytochrome c oxidase in complex IV of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation chain to markedly reduce ATP (Pearce et al., 2003). As oxidative damage is mediated by free radicals, it was necessary to investigate the status of endogenous antioxidant enzymes under different treatment conditions. Aerobic organisms possess antioxidant defense systems that deal with ROS (Mates et al., 1999). SOD catalyzes the conversion of the highly reactive superoxide anion to O2 and to H2O2 (Mates et al., 1999). This less damaging molecule can be converted spontaneously to highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. However, CAT and GSH-Px detoxify hydrogen peroxide by converting it to water before hydroxyl radicals can be produced. The propensity of cyanide to induce lipid peroxidation and impair antioxidant defense enzymes like CAT, SOD and GSH-Px are well known. Levels of MDA, GSH and GSSH are also correlated with lipid peroxidation (Ardelt et al., 1994). However, these effects were reversible after withdrawal of the poison. The oxygen radicals formed in these pathways may contribute to the oxidative damage of DNA and tumor formation. The inhibitors of CAT include azide, cyanide, GSH and dithiothreitol (Sun and Oberley 1989). GSH-Px inhibitors include cyanide and superoxide radicals (Blum and Fridovich1985). The decrease of cellular GSH following exposure to cyanide is likely due in part to reduced cellular ATP resulting from inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase (Prabhakaran et al., 2006). Antioxidants blocked the enhanced apoptosis produced by cyanide and this was directly linked to generation of ROS (Jones et al., 2003). However, levels of MDA, GSH and GSSH are also correlated with lipid peroxidation (Ardelt et al., 1994).Taken together the mechanism of hepatocyte injury resulting from inhibition of mitochondrial respiration includes a cytotoxic pathway that arises partly from an energy deficit but also from reductive stress which releases non protein bound iron from intracellular pools and induces cytotoxic ROS formation (Niknahad et al., 1995).

#### **1.3 Antidotes and cyanide treatments**

Antidotes are based on induction of methaemoglobin, which temporarily removes cyanide ions from solution. Anti-cyanide therapy may be acute, such as in poisonings, or prophylactic, as in military applications where a longer duration of action is required (Baskin and Fricke, 1992). Cyanide detoxification occurs *in vivo* mainly by conversion to thiocyanate. This reaction is catalysed by the enzyme rhodanese. In the presence of excess cyanide, the rate-limiting step is an adequate supply of sulphane sulphur (a divalent sulphur atom bonded to another sulphur atom), which can be supplied by thiosulphate (Beasley and glass 1998). However, the principal detoxification pathway of cyanide to thiocyanate in the presence of sulfur donor like garlic extract (Elsaid and Elkomy 2006) and sodium thiosulphate is mainly catalyzed by a liver mitochondrial enzyme, rhodanese (Cyanide: thiosulphate sulphur transferase) (Tylleskar et al., 1991). Cyanide accumulates in various body cells through binding to metalloproteins or enzymes such as CAT and cytochrome C oxidase. So, it is a potent cytotoxic agent that kills the cell by inhibiting cytochrome oxidase of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (Yen et al., 1995). The Egyptian leek contains gallic acid as a phenolic component and vitamin C, so it has antioxidant properties (Latif and ABD El-AAl, 2007). The leaves of *Ricinus communis* found to contain flavonoids like kaempferol-3-0-beta-D-rutinoside and kaempferol-3-0-beta-Dxylopyranoid and tannins (Kang et al., 1985; Khogali et al., 1992), so the present study aims to investigate the antidotal effect of *Allium* and *Ricinus* extracts.

#### **1.4 Cyanide toxicity and renal functions**

308 Oxidative Stress – Environmental Induction and Dietary Antioxidants

cytochrome c oxidase in complex IV of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation chain to markedly reduce ATP (Pearce et al., 2003). As oxidative damage is mediated by free radicals, it was necessary to investigate the status of endogenous antioxidant enzymes under different treatment conditions. Aerobic organisms possess antioxidant defense systems that deal with ROS (Mates et al., 1999). SOD catalyzes the conversion of the highly reactive superoxide anion to O2 and to H2O2 (Mates et al., 1999). This less damaging molecule can be converted spontaneously to highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. However, CAT and GSH-Px detoxify hydrogen peroxide by converting it to water before hydroxyl radicals can be produced. The propensity of cyanide to induce lipid peroxidation and impair antioxidant defense enzymes like CAT, SOD and GSH-Px are well known. Levels of MDA, GSH and GSSH are also correlated with lipid peroxidation (Ardelt et al., 1994). However, these effects were reversible after withdrawal of the poison. The oxygen radicals formed in these pathways may contribute to the oxidative damage of DNA and tumor formation. The inhibitors of CAT include azide, cyanide, GSH and dithiothreitol (Sun and Oberley 1989). GSH-Px inhibitors include cyanide and superoxide radicals (Blum and Fridovich1985). The decrease of cellular GSH following exposure to cyanide is likely due in part to reduced cellular ATP resulting from inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase (Prabhakaran et al., 2006). Antioxidants blocked the enhanced apoptosis produced by cyanide and this was directly linked to generation of ROS (Jones et al., 2003). However, levels of MDA, GSH and GSSH are also correlated with lipid peroxidation (Ardelt et al., 1994).Taken together the mechanism of hepatocyte injury resulting from inhibition of mitochondrial respiration includes a cytotoxic pathway that arises partly from an energy deficit but also from reductive stress which releases non protein bound iron from intracellular pools and induces

Antidotes are based on induction of methaemoglobin, which temporarily removes cyanide ions from solution. Anti-cyanide therapy may be acute, such as in poisonings, or prophylactic, as in military applications where a longer duration of action is required (Baskin and Fricke, 1992). Cyanide detoxification occurs *in vivo* mainly by conversion to thiocyanate. This reaction is catalysed by the enzyme rhodanese. In the presence of excess cyanide, the rate-limiting step is an adequate supply of sulphane sulphur (a divalent sulphur atom bonded to another sulphur atom), which can be supplied by thiosulphate (Beasley and glass 1998). However, the principal detoxification pathway of cyanide to thiocyanate in the presence of sulfur donor like garlic extract (Elsaid and Elkomy 2006) and sodium thiosulphate is mainly catalyzed by a liver mitochondrial enzyme, rhodanese (Cyanide: thiosulphate sulphur transferase) (Tylleskar et al., 1991). Cyanide accumulates in various body cells through binding to metalloproteins or enzymes such as CAT and cytochrome C oxidase. So, it is a potent cytotoxic agent that kills the cell by inhibiting cytochrome oxidase of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (Yen et al., 1995). The Egyptian leek contains gallic acid as a phenolic component and vitamin C, so it has antioxidant properties (Latif and ABD El-AAl, 2007). The leaves of *Ricinus communis* found to contain flavonoids like kaempferol-3-0-beta-D-rutinoside and kaempferol-3-0-beta-Dxylopyranoid and tannins (Kang et al., 1985; Khogali et al., 1992), so the present study aims

cytotoxic ROS formation (Niknahad et al., 1995).

to investigate the antidotal effect of *Allium* and *Ricinus* extracts.

**1.3 Antidotes and cyanide treatments** 

The recorded renal toxicity was also detected by the elevation in serum uric acid as well as in serum and urine creatinine and urea levels (Elsaid and Elkomy 2006). However, the protective effect of garlic on kidney indices could be attributed to its antioxidant properties because it has been found that ROS may be involved in the impairment of glomerular filtration rate (Elsaid and Elkomy 2006).

#### **1.5 Cyanide cytotoxicity and gene expression**

The rat P53 gene consists of only 10 exons. In cells with DNA injury, P53 can stop the cell cycle through p21 protein and then promote DNA repair. When DNA is seriously damaged, P53 can induce the cell to undergo programmed cell death to maintain the stability of the genome and cells. The loss of P53 function activates oncogenes and inactivates cancer suppressor genes, playing an essential role in multistage carcinogenesis (Harris 1993). Bcl-2 is constitutively expressed and localized to the outer mitochondrial membrane where it attenuates cell death signals to promote cell survival (Kroemer, 1998). Bcl-2 exerts an antiapoptotic effect by inhibiting mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization to suppress release of cytochrome c into the cytosol (Gross et al., 1999). Bcl-2 may also inhibit necroticlike cell death by blocking the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore to maintain cellular ATP levels within survival limits (Garland and Halestrap, 1997). Forced over-expression of Bcl-2 can block cell death produced by a variety of stimuli, including cyanide (Tsujimoto et al., 1997). Overexpression of Bcl-2 produced mitochondrial dysfunction (reduced membrane potential), caspase-independent apoptosis, and sensitization of the cells to cyanide-induced toxicity (Zhang et al., 2007). In various liver and kidney injury models, IL-4 has been shown to be both protective and deleterious. IL-4 accelerates severe hepatitis in mice deficient in suppressor of cytokine signaling proteins through activation of natural killer T cells (Naka et al., 2001), and it is believed that IL-4 plays a key role in Con A-induced hepatitis via augmentation of Vα-14 natural killer T cellmediated cytotoxicity (Kaneko et al., 2000). The toxic effects of cyanide in kidney of rabbits have been reported after repeated exposures (Okolie and Osagie, 1999).

Although, the mechanism of toxicity of cyanide in kidney has not been delineated so far, so the study aimed to investigate the genotoxic effect of cyanide to connect the toxicity of cyanide in kidney with the physiological functions of the kidney and gene expression of some genes. Also, this work tries to discuss the antidotal effect of aqueous extracts of both *Allium kurrat* and *Ricinus communis L.,* against cyanide poisoning on kidney of Balb/c mice.

#### **2. Material and methods**

**Natural Products Extracts:** *Allium kurrat* (Egyptian leek), (*family Alliaceae*) and *Ricinus communis* Linn*,* (Castor) (*family Euphorbiaceae* ) were used in this study. The leaves of leek and Castor were separately immersed in distilled water for 24 hours, filtered, stored at -20°C and freshly prepared every three days.

**Animal grouping:** Twenty mice weighed (45g) were used in the present experiment. The local committee approved the design of the experiments and the protocol conforms to the

Modification by Aqueous Extracts of *Allium kurrat L.*

its absorbance can be measured at 405nm (Beutler et al., 1963).

hydroxyl benzensulphonate to a colored product (Koracevic et al., 2001).

absorbance was measured at 340nm.

coefficient factor equal 1.56 x105M-1cm-1.

1949). The absorbance was read at 550nm.

measured at 545nm.

assay of uric acid in serum.

(1974)**.** 

and *Ricinus communis L*. of Cyanide Nephrotoxicity on Balb/C Mice 311

redox cycle that maintains adequate levels of reduced cellular GSH. According to the method of Goldberg and Spooner (1983), GSH-Red catalyzed the reduction of the oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in the presence of NADPH that oxidized into NADPH+. The decrease in

 GSH-Red NADPH + H+ + GSSG NADP+ + 2GSH **GSH (GSH) content:** GSH served as an antioxidant, reacting with free radicals and organic peroxides, in amino acid transport, and as a substrate for the GSH-Px and glutathione-stransferase in the detoxification of organic peroxide and metabolism of xenobiotics, respectively. Homogenize the tissue in 5–10ml cold buffer (50mM potassium phosphate, pH 7.5, 1mM EDTA) per gram tissue. Centrifuge at 100,000 x g for 15min at 4**°**C. Remove the supernatant for assay and store on ice and then freeze the sample at - 80**°**C. The method based on the reduction of 5,5` dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) with GSH to produce a yellow compound. The reduced chromogen directly proportional to GSH concentration and

**Total antioxidant capacity:** The determination of the total antioxidant capacity was performed by the reaction of antioxidants in the sample with a defined amount of exogenously provide hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).The antioxidants in the sample eliminated a certain amount of the provided hydrogen peroxide. The residual H2O2 was determined colorimetrically by an enzymatic reaction which involves the conversion of 3, 5, dichloro–2–

**Lipid peroxidation:** The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as malondialdehyde were estimated by the method of Ohkawa et al., (1979). Briefly, to 0.2ml of kidney homogenate, 0.2ml of 40% sodium dodecyle sulphate, 1.5ml of 20% acetic acid (prepared in 0.27M of HCl) and 1.5ml of 0.5% thiobarbituric acid were added together. The mixture was heated for 60min at 95°C in a temperature controlled water bath to give a pink color. The mixture was then centrifuged at 3500 r.p.m. for 10min. Finally, the absorbance of the supernatant layer was read spectrophotometrically at 532nm, the molar extinction

**Total lipid:** According to the method of Zollner and Kirsch (1962), lipids reacted with sulfuric, phosphoric acids and vaniline to form pink colored complex, the absorbance was

**Total protein:** In the presence of an alkaline cupric sulfate, the protein produced a violet color, the intensity of which is proportional to their concentration (Gornall and Bardawill,

**Uric acid assay:** According to the method of Fossati et al., (1980) by using of 3, 5-dichloro2 hydroxybenzene sulfonic acid/4-aminophenazone chromogenic system in direct enzymatic

**Creatinine assay:** Serum creatinine level was estimated according to the method of Henry

guidelines of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). All measures were taken to minimize the number of mice used and their suffering. Mice were divided into four groups. Animals were caged in groups of 5, allowed standard mice chow diet and water *ad libitum* as follows: Control group; mice received no treatment. Cyanide group; mice were administered with 4.5mg/kg b.w./day of potassium cyanide (0.5 of LD50) in drinking water for 30days, freshly prepared every four days for the experimental periods, with some modifications (Sousa et al., 2002). Cyanide plus *Allium kurrat* group; mice were coadministered with 4.5mg/kg b.w./day KCN in drinking water for 30 days and intraperitoneal administered with *Allium kurrat* extract at 200mg/kg b.w./day. Cyanide plus *Ricinus communis* group; mice co-administered with 9mg/kg b.w./day cyanide and intraperitoneal administered with *Ricinus* extract at 200mg/kg b.w./day for the experimental period. Animals were maintained at 22–25°C and 40–60% relative humidity with 12-h light–dark cycles. At the end of the experimental period mice were sacrificed and sera and kidney tissues were collected from each group. The kidney tissues were homogenized in a phosphate buffer solution pH 7.4, centrifuged at 4°C and the supernatant was stored at -80°C.

#### **3. Enzymatic assay**

**Superoxide dismutase (SOD):** This assay relied on the ability of the enzyme to inhibit the phenazine methosulphate-mediated reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium dye (Nishikimi et al., 1972).

**Catalase (CAT):** It reacted with a known quantity of H2O2. The reaction is stopped after exactly one minute with CAT inhibitor.

Catalase

$$2\text{ H}\_2\text{O}\_2 \xrightarrow{\text{H}\_2\text{O}\_2} 2\text{ H}\_2\text{O} + \text{O}\_2$$

In the presence of peroxidase (HRP), the remaining H2O2 reacted with 3,5-Dichloro-2 hydroxybenzene sulfonic acid (DHBS) and 4-aminophenazone (AAP) to form a chromophore with a color intensity inversely proportional to the amount of CAT in the original sample, each 1unit =1μmol of H2O2 degraded for a minute, using a molar extinction coefficient of 43.6M−1 cm−1 (Aebi 1984).

> HRP 2 H2O2 + DHBS + AAP Quinoneimine Dye +4H2O

**Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px):** The activity was measured by the method described by (Ellman, 1959). Briefly, reaction mixture contained 0.2ml of 0.4M phosphate buffer pH 7.0, 0.1ml of 10mM sodium azide, 0.2ml of kidney homogenate (homogenate on 0.4M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0), and 0.2ml glutathione, 0.1 of 0.2mM H2O2. The content was incubated at 37°C for 10min. The reaction was arrested by 0.4ml of 10% TCA and centrifuged. Supernatant was assayed for glutathione content by using Ellman's reagent. The molar extinction coefficient for NADPH is 6220 mM-1 cm-1 at 340nm.

**Glutathione reductase (GSH-Red):** GSH-Red catalyzed the reduction of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to reduced glutathione (GSH). GSH-Red is essential for the glutathione

guidelines of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). All measures were taken to minimize the number of mice used and their suffering. Mice were divided into four groups. Animals were caged in groups of 5, allowed standard mice chow diet and water *ad libitum* as follows: Control group; mice received no treatment. Cyanide group; mice were administered with 4.5mg/kg b.w./day of potassium cyanide (0.5 of LD50) in drinking water for 30days, freshly prepared every four days for the experimental periods, with some modifications (Sousa et al., 2002). Cyanide plus *Allium kurrat* group; mice were coadministered with 4.5mg/kg b.w./day KCN in drinking water for 30 days and intraperitoneal administered with *Allium kurrat* extract at 200mg/kg b.w./day. Cyanide plus *Ricinus communis* group; mice co-administered with 9mg/kg b.w./day cyanide and intraperitoneal administered with *Ricinus* extract at 200mg/kg b.w./day for the experimental period. Animals were maintained at 22–25°C and 40–60% relative humidity with 12-h light–dark cycles. At the end of the experimental period mice were sacrificed and sera and kidney tissues were collected from each group. The kidney tissues were homogenized in a phosphate buffer solution pH 7.4, centrifuged at 4°C and the

**Superoxide dismutase (SOD):** This assay relied on the ability of the enzyme to inhibit the phenazine methosulphate-mediated reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium dye (Nishikimi et al.,

**Catalase (CAT):** It reacted with a known quantity of H2O2. The reaction is stopped after

2 H2O2 2 H2O + O2 In the presence of peroxidase (HRP), the remaining H2O2 reacted with 3,5-Dichloro-2 hydroxybenzene sulfonic acid (DHBS) and 4-aminophenazone (AAP) to form a chromophore with a color intensity inversely proportional to the amount of CAT in the original sample, each 1unit =1μmol of H2O2 degraded for a minute, using a molar extinction

HRP 2 H2O2 + DHBS + AAP Quinoneimine Dye +4H2O **Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px):** The activity was measured by the method described by (Ellman, 1959). Briefly, reaction mixture contained 0.2ml of 0.4M phosphate buffer pH 7.0, 0.1ml of 10mM sodium azide, 0.2ml of kidney homogenate (homogenate on 0.4M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0), and 0.2ml glutathione, 0.1 of 0.2mM H2O2. The content was incubated at 37°C for 10min. The reaction was arrested by 0.4ml of 10% TCA and centrifuged. Supernatant was assayed for glutathione content by using Ellman's reagent. The molar

**Glutathione reductase (GSH-Red):** GSH-Red catalyzed the reduction of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to reduced glutathione (GSH). GSH-Red is essential for the glutathione

supernatant was stored at -80°C.

exactly one minute with CAT inhibitor.

coefficient of 43.6M−1 cm−1 (Aebi 1984).

extinction coefficient for NADPH is 6220 mM-1 cm-1 at 340nm.

**3. Enzymatic assay** 

1972).

Catalase

redox cycle that maintains adequate levels of reduced cellular GSH. According to the method of Goldberg and Spooner (1983), GSH-Red catalyzed the reduction of the oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in the presence of NADPH that oxidized into NADPH+. The decrease in absorbance was measured at 340nm.

$$\text{NADPH} + \text{H}^\* + \text{GSSG} \xrightarrow{\text{GSH-Red}} \text{NADP\*} + 2\text{GSH}$$

**GSH (GSH) content:** GSH served as an antioxidant, reacting with free radicals and organic peroxides, in amino acid transport, and as a substrate for the GSH-Px and glutathione-stransferase in the detoxification of organic peroxide and metabolism of xenobiotics, respectively. Homogenize the tissue in 5–10ml cold buffer (50mM potassium phosphate, pH 7.5, 1mM EDTA) per gram tissue. Centrifuge at 100,000 x g for 15min at 4**°**C. Remove the supernatant for assay and store on ice and then freeze the sample at - 80**°**C. The method based on the reduction of 5,5` dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) with GSH to produce a yellow compound. The reduced chromogen directly proportional to GSH concentration and its absorbance can be measured at 405nm (Beutler et al., 1963).

**Total antioxidant capacity:** The determination of the total antioxidant capacity was performed by the reaction of antioxidants in the sample with a defined amount of exogenously provide hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).The antioxidants in the sample eliminated a certain amount of the provided hydrogen peroxide. The residual H2O2 was determined colorimetrically by an enzymatic reaction which involves the conversion of 3, 5, dichloro–2– hydroxyl benzensulphonate to a colored product (Koracevic et al., 2001).

**Lipid peroxidation:** The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as malondialdehyde were estimated by the method of Ohkawa et al., (1979). Briefly, to 0.2ml of kidney homogenate, 0.2ml of 40% sodium dodecyle sulphate, 1.5ml of 20% acetic acid (prepared in 0.27M of HCl) and 1.5ml of 0.5% thiobarbituric acid were added together. The mixture was heated for 60min at 95°C in a temperature controlled water bath to give a pink color. The mixture was then centrifuged at 3500 r.p.m. for 10min. Finally, the absorbance of the supernatant layer was read spectrophotometrically at 532nm, the molar extinction coefficient factor equal 1.56 x105M-1cm-1.

**Total lipid:** According to the method of Zollner and Kirsch (1962), lipids reacted with sulfuric, phosphoric acids and vaniline to form pink colored complex, the absorbance was measured at 545nm.

**Total protein:** In the presence of an alkaline cupric sulfate, the protein produced a violet color, the intensity of which is proportional to their concentration (Gornall and Bardawill, 1949). The absorbance was read at 550nm.

**Uric acid assay:** According to the method of Fossati et al., (1980) by using of 3, 5-dichloro2 hydroxybenzene sulfonic acid/4-aminophenazone chromogenic system in direct enzymatic assay of uric acid in serum.

**Creatinine assay:** Serum creatinine level was estimated according to the method of Henry (1974)**.** 

Modification by Aqueous Extracts of *Allium kurrat L.*

interpreted and analyzed using Rotor-Gene-6000 version 1.7.

**6. Statistical analysis of biochemical data** 

(SPSS, version 10.0, Chicago, IL, USA).

compared with cyanide group.

Groups

In comparison control with other groups, p<0.05 \*

**6.1 Results** 

p<0.001 c

and *Ricinus communis L*. of Cyanide Nephrotoxicity on Balb/C Mice 313

Ratio target gene expression house keeping gene Fold change in reference gene expresion ( )

Real-time PCR data of all samples were analyzed with appropriate bioinformatics and statistical program for the estimation of the relative expression of genes using real-time PCR and the result normalized to its gene (Reference gene). The data were statistically evaluated,

The biochemical data recorded were expressed as mean±SD and statistical and correlation analyses were undertaken using the One-way ANOVA followed by a post-hoc LSD (Least Significant Difference) test. A P value < 0.05 was statistically significant. A Statistical analysis was performed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows

Table (2): ANOVA test showed high significant (P<0.001) changes between the different groups. The results showed very high significant decrease (P<0.001) in kidney total antioxidant capacity, decrease in the activities of CAT, SOD, GSH-Px, GSH-Red and a decrease in GSH content in cyanide group when compared with the control one. Also there was a very high significant increase (P<0.001) in TBARS in cyanide group. Cyanide & *Allium* and cyanide & *Ricinus* groups were improving the nephrotoxicity of cyanide when

Parameters Control Cyanide Cyanide&

T. Antioxidant capacity 0.58±.07 0.37±0.04\*\*\* 0.47±0.09\*b 0.48±0.03\*b

In comparison cyanide group with cyanide& *Allium* and Cyanide& *Ricinus* groups, p<0.05 a, p<0.01 b,

In table (3): ANOVA test showed high significant (P<0.001) changes between the different groups. serum creatinine and uric acid levels showed very high significant increase (P<0.001) in cyanide group in comparison with control group. From the results in cyanide& *Allium* and cyanide& *Ricinus* groups, the aqueous extracts of *Allium* and *Ricinus* showed

Table 2. Kidney antioxidants and oxidative stress in different Balb/C groups:

CAT 7.7±0.58 5.4±0.83\*\*\* 5.8±0.58\*\*\* 6.7±0.48\*b SOD 55.3±3.9 41.7±5.7\*\*\* 44.6±2.6\*\*\* 50.9±3.8b GSH-Px 7.0±0.42 4.8±0.58\*\*\* 5.0±1.1\*\*\* 5.77±0.85\* GSH-Red 59.1±3.6 42.7±3.2\*\*\* 47.9±6.4\*\*\* 52.2±3.4\*b GSH 9.3±1.8 5.4±0.76\*\*\* 6.0±0.38\*\*\* 7.4±0.51\*\*b TBARS 108.0±9.3 254.6±18.5\*\*\* 162.1±33.5\*\*\*c 146.4±18.4\*\*\*c

, p<0.01\*\*, p<0.001\*\*\*

( )

*sample Fold change in target gene expresion*

control

*control*

*Allium*

Cyanide& *Ricinus*

**Extraction of total RNA from kidney tissue homogenates:** Total RNA was isolated from kidney homogenate using RNeasy Mini Kit according to manufacturer's instructions (QIAGEN, Germany). About 100 µl of each homogenate was subjected to RNA extraction and the resultant RNA was dissolved in DEPC-treated water, quantified spectrophotometrically and analyzed on 1.2% agarose gel. RNAs inhibitors were added to the samples during the RNA extraction process (Shati et al., 2011).

#### **4. Real time PCR and gene expression**

**a- For P53 and Bcl2 genes:** The extracted RNA from kidney tissues of different groups was subjected to examine the expression level of two genes using specific primers in the presence of Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase as a housekeeping gene. The Real time reaction consists of 12.5μl of 2X Quantitech SYBR® Green RT Mix (Fermentaz, USA), 2μl of the extracted RNA (50ng/ μl), 1μl of 25 pM/μl forward (F) primer, 1μl of 25 pM/μl reverse (R) primer (Table 1), 9.5 μl of RNAase free water for a total of 25 μl. Samples were spun before loading in the rotor's wells. The real time PCR program was performed as follows: initial denaturation at 95°C for 10 min.; 40 cycles of 95°C for 15 sec, annealing at 64°C for 30 sec and extension at 63°C for 30 sec. Data acquisition performed during the extension step. This reaction was performed using Rotor-Gene 6000 system (QIAGEN, USA).


GPDH: glyceraldehydes 6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Table 1. Oligonucleotide primer sequences used in this study:

**b- For interleukins (IL-4 and IL-12) genes:** Real time PCR was performed using specific primers for two of cytokines genes, IL-4 and IL-12. The reaction was performed on the total RNA extracted from the kidney of all experimental groups. The PCR reaction constituents and conditions were similar to the above genes except that the annealing temperature was 60°C for IL-4 and 65°C for IL-12.

#### **5. Molecular data analysis**

Comparative quantitation analysis was performed using Rotor-Gene-6000 Series Software based on the following equation:


Real-time PCR data of all samples were analyzed with appropriate bioinformatics and statistical program for the estimation of the relative expression of genes using real-time PCR and the result normalized to its gene (Reference gene). The data were statistically evaluated, interpreted and analyzed using Rotor-Gene-6000 version 1.7.

#### **6. Statistical analysis of biochemical data**

The biochemical data recorded were expressed as mean±SD and statistical and correlation analyses were undertaken using the One-way ANOVA followed by a post-hoc LSD (Least Significant Difference) test. A P value < 0.05 was statistically significant. A Statistical analysis was performed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows (SPSS, version 10.0, Chicago, IL, USA).

#### **6.1 Results**

312 Oxidative Stress – Environmental Induction and Dietary Antioxidants

**Extraction of total RNA from kidney tissue homogenates:** Total RNA was isolated from kidney homogenate using RNeasy Mini Kit according to manufacturer's instructions (QIAGEN, Germany). About 100 µl of each homogenate was subjected to RNA extraction and the resultant RNA was dissolved in DEPC-treated water, quantified spectrophotometrically and analyzed on 1.2% agarose gel. RNAs inhibitors were added to

**a- For P53 and Bcl2 genes:** The extracted RNA from kidney tissues of different groups was subjected to examine the expression level of two genes using specific primers in the presence of Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase as a housekeeping gene. The Real time reaction consists of 12.5μl of 2X Quantitech SYBR® Green RT Mix (Fermentaz, USA), 2μl of the extracted RNA (50ng/ μl), 1μl of 25 pM/μl forward (F) primer, 1μl of 25 pM/μl reverse (R) primer (Table 1), 9.5 μl of RNAase free water for a total of 25 μl. Samples were spun before loading in the rotor's wells. The real time PCR program was performed as follows: initial denaturation at 95°C for 10 min.; 40 cycles of 95°C for 15 sec, annealing at 64°C for 30 sec and extension at 63°C for 30 sec. Data acquisition performed during the extension step. This reaction was performed using Rotor-Gene 6000 system (QIAGEN,

Primer name Primer sequence from 5`-`3 Annealing temp.

R-TGAGCAGAGTCTTCAGAGACAGCC

R-CATAATCGTCTTTAGCCTTTCCAAG

R-GAGATACACTTCAACACTTTGACCT

**b- For interleukins (IL-4 and IL-12) genes:** Real time PCR was performed using specific primers for two of cytokines genes, IL-4 and IL-12. The reaction was performed on the total RNA extracted from the kidney of all experimental groups. The PCR reaction constituents and conditions were similar to the above genes except that the annealing temperature was

Comparative quantitation analysis was performed using Rotor-Gene-6000 Series Software

64 ͦ C

63 ͦ C

60 ͦ C

65 ͦ C

60 ͦ C

R-ACTGCCACTCCTTGCCCCATTC

R-CCAGTAAGGCCAGGCAACAT

F-ATTGACCACTACCTGGGCAA

the samples during the RNA extraction process (Shati et al., 2011).

P53 F- AGGGATACTATTCAGCCCGAGGTG

Bcl-2 F-ATGTGTGTGGAGAGCGTCAACC

IL-12 F-CAGCCTTGCAGAAAAGAGAGC

Table 1. Oligonucleotide primer sequences used in this study:

GPDH: glyceraldehydes 6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

60°C for IL-4 and 65°C for IL-12.

**5. Molecular data analysis** 

based on the following equation:

IL-4 F-CTATTAATGGGTCTCACCTCCCAACT

**4. Real time PCR and gene expression** 

USA).

GPDH

gene)

(House keeping

Table (2): ANOVA test showed high significant (P<0.001) changes between the different groups. The results showed very high significant decrease (P<0.001) in kidney total antioxidant capacity, decrease in the activities of CAT, SOD, GSH-Px, GSH-Red and a decrease in GSH content in cyanide group when compared with the control one. Also there was a very high significant increase (P<0.001) in TBARS in cyanide group. Cyanide & *Allium* and cyanide & *Ricinus* groups were improving the nephrotoxicity of cyanide when compared with cyanide group.


In comparison control with other groups, p<0.05 \* , p<0.01\*\*, p<0.001\*\*\*

In comparison cyanide group with cyanide& *Allium* and Cyanide& *Ricinus* groups, p<0.05 a, p<0.01 b, p<0.001 c

Table 2. Kidney antioxidants and oxidative stress in different Balb/C groups:

In table (3): ANOVA test showed high significant (P<0.001) changes between the different groups. serum creatinine and uric acid levels showed very high significant increase (P<0.001) in cyanide group in comparison with control group. From the results in cyanide& *Allium* and cyanide& *Ricinus* groups, the aqueous extracts of *Allium* and *Ricinus* showed

Modification by Aqueous Extracts of *Allium kurrat L.*

*Allium* (Latif and ABD El-AAl, 2007).

**7. Discussion** 

and *Ricinus communis L*. of Cyanide Nephrotoxicity on Balb/C Mice 315

Also in figure (1), the expression of IL-4 and IL-12 genes was high in cyanide group in comparison with control group. But in the contrary a low gene expression was observed in

It was observed in KCN-treated cells that ROS generated from sources other than mitochondria represented a small portion of the total cellular ROS (Hariharakrishnan et al., 2009). Also it was indicating that mitochondria may be the primary source of ROS following cyanide (Chen et al., 2003). It is well characterized that cyanide inhibits cytochrome oxidase, which in turn stimulates ROS formation at complexes I and III. Free radicals are chemical entities that exist separately with one or more unpaired electrons. Free radicals induce damage or death of that cell of which the affected molecule is a part. The propagation of free radical formation could continue for thousands of reactions and hence the damage caused will be extensive (Campbell and Abdulla, 1995). Lipids, proteins and DNA are all susceptible to attack by free radicals. Cyanide toxicity also caused by increased generation of superoxide anion and lipid peroxidation (Daya et al., 2002) with inhibition of antioxidants enzymes (Ardelt et al., 1994). Hariharakrishnan et al., (2009) showed marked increase in total ROS and reactive nitrogen species levels and elevated lipid peroxidation after treatment with 1.25mM KCN. Reduced GSH levels render the cell more susceptible to endogenous oxidants (Slater et al., 1995).In the present study, cyanide intoxication showed increased MDA level (a marker of lipid peroxidation) with decreased CAT and SOD activities in kidney, indicating renal toxicity. In addition, the cyanide-induced oxidative stress leads to a decrease in GSH content, GSH-Red and GST activities. It exerts its effect by enhancing the non-enzymatic antioxidant as GSH and the detoxifying enzyme as GST (Saravanan et al., 2004). So it restores glutathione level and increases the activities of glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase (Saravanan et al., 2004). Oxidative stress in the cells or tissues refers to enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species and/or depletion in antioxidant defense system. ROS generated in the tissues are efficiently scavenged by enzymatic antioxidant system such as GSH-Px and glutathione reductase as well as non enzymatic antioxidants such as glutathione, vitamin A, C, and E (Schlorff *et al.,* 1999). GST is a detoxification enzyme which catalyzes the conjugation of many electrophilic agents with GSH (Hayes et al., 1995) so it may be bind to CN and this explain their decrease in kidney tissues. Cyanide is known to induce oxidative stress by depleting the cellular thiol (Gunasekar et al., 1996). Similarly, in the present study, GSH, an intracellular antioxidant, was depleted after exposure to 4.5mg KCN making the cell environment less reducing and vulnerable to oxidative stress. So the changes in kidney may be induced by cyanide due to the imbalance in the antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress as showed by (Elsaid and Elkomy 2006). In the present study, cyanide induced nephrotoxicity was reflected by the observed increases in serum uric acid and creatinine levels as well as total protein and lipid profile content (Elsaid and Elkomy 2006) as in table (3). Organosulphurs enhance the synthesis of the cellular GSH content in red blood cells (Wu et al., 2001), which is catalyzed by antioxidant enzymes (Godwin et al., 1992) also it may be alleviating the renal functions. The protective efficacy of *Allium* (Latif and ABD El-AAl, 2007) and *Ricinus* (Khogali et al., 1992) against cyanide-induced cytotoxicity can be attributed to the antioxidant property of both (Khogali et al., 1992). Also it can be interpreted by the sulphur donor properities of

cyanide& *Allium* and cyanide& *Ricinus* groups when compared with control group.

**7.1 Cyanide intoxication and antioxidants/oxidants balance** 

good effect on renal function when compared with cyanide group. The ameliorative effect appeared in decreasing of serum creatinine and uric acid levels in cyanide& *Allium* and cyanide& *Ricinus* groups. Moreover the level of total lipids and total protein content were decreased in cyanide group when compared with the control one. The treated groups with *Allium* and *Ricinus* extracts showed a good effect in managing this decrease.


In comparison control with other groups, p<0.05 \*, p<0.01\*\*, p<0.001\*\*\*

In comparison cyanide group with cyanide& *Allium* and Cyanide& *Ricinus* groups, p<0.05 a, p<0.01 b, p<0.001 c

Table 3. Renal biomarkers in different Balb/C groups:

#### **6.2 Molecular data**

As in figure (1), P53 expression was high in cyanide group when compared with control group as shown in figure (1). But the P53 gene expression was so low in cyanide& *Allium* and cyanide& *Ricinus* groups when compared with cyanide group. Moreover, the Bcl-2 gene was highly expressed in cyanide administered rats in comparison with control group. The treated rats with cyanide& *Allium* and cyanide& *Ricinus* extracts showed amelioration expression of this gene in kidney tissue as in fig (1).

Fig. 1. The ratio of comparative gene expression in kidney of different treated groups compared with the control ones of balb/C mice, P53; Bcl-2 (B cell lymphoma 2); IL4 and IL12 (interleukin).

Also in figure (1), the expression of IL-4 and IL-12 genes was high in cyanide group in comparison with control group. But in the contrary a low gene expression was observed in cyanide& *Allium* and cyanide& *Ricinus* groups when compared with control group.

#### **7. Discussion**

314 Oxidative Stress – Environmental Induction and Dietary Antioxidants

good effect on renal function when compared with cyanide group. The ameliorative effect appeared in decreasing of serum creatinine and uric acid levels in cyanide& *Allium* and cyanide& *Ricinus* groups. Moreover the level of total lipids and total protein content were decreased in cyanide group when compared with the control one. The treated groups with

*Allium* and *Ricinus* extracts showed a good effect in managing this decrease.

In comparison control with other groups, p<0.05 \*, p<0.01\*\*, p<0.001\*\*\*

Table 3. Renal biomarkers in different Balb/C groups:

expression of this gene in kidney tissue as in fig (1).

Parameters Control Cyanide Cyanide&

In comparison cyanide group with cyanide& *Allium* and Cyanide& *Ricinus* groups, p<0.05 a, p<0.01 b,

As in figure (1), P53 expression was high in cyanide group when compared with control group as shown in figure (1). But the P53 gene expression was so low in cyanide& *Allium* and cyanide& *Ricinus* groups when compared with cyanide group. Moreover, the Bcl-2 gene was highly expressed in cyanide administered rats in comparison with control group. The treated rats with cyanide& *Allium* and cyanide& *Ricinus* extracts showed amelioration

Fig. 1. The ratio of comparative gene expression in kidney of different treated groups compared with the control ones of balb/C mice, P53; Bcl-2 (B cell lymphoma 2); IL4 and

Serum Creatinine 0.68±0.07 1.1±0.11\*\*\* 0.84±0.05\*\*c 0.72±0.09c Serum Uric Acid 2.0±0.19 3.3±0.52\*\*\* 2.8±0.25\*\*a 2.3±0.0.23c Serum T. Lipids 0.72±0.05 0.42±0.05\*\*\* 0.47±0.05\*\*\* 0.58±0.05\*\*\*c Kidney T. Lipids 44.1±5.4 30.0±3.01\*\*\* 30.8±2.81\*\*\* 39.1±4.87b Kidney T. Protein 10.5±1.4 5.6±1.1\*\*\* 6.9±0.90\*\*\* 7.59±1.27\*\*\*a

*Allium*

Cyanide& *Ricinus*

Groups

p<0.001 c

**6.2 Molecular data** 

IL12 (interleukin).

#### **7.1 Cyanide intoxication and antioxidants/oxidants balance**

It was observed in KCN-treated cells that ROS generated from sources other than mitochondria represented a small portion of the total cellular ROS (Hariharakrishnan et al., 2009). Also it was indicating that mitochondria may be the primary source of ROS following cyanide (Chen et al., 2003). It is well characterized that cyanide inhibits cytochrome oxidase, which in turn stimulates ROS formation at complexes I and III. Free radicals are chemical entities that exist separately with one or more unpaired electrons. Free radicals induce damage or death of that cell of which the affected molecule is a part. The propagation of free radical formation could continue for thousands of reactions and hence the damage caused will be extensive (Campbell and Abdulla, 1995). Lipids, proteins and DNA are all susceptible to attack by free radicals. Cyanide toxicity also caused by increased generation of superoxide anion and lipid peroxidation (Daya et al., 2002) with inhibition of antioxidants enzymes (Ardelt et al., 1994). Hariharakrishnan et al., (2009) showed marked increase in total ROS and reactive nitrogen species levels and elevated lipid peroxidation after treatment with 1.25mM KCN. Reduced GSH levels render the cell more susceptible to endogenous oxidants (Slater et al., 1995).In the present study, cyanide intoxication showed increased MDA level (a marker of lipid peroxidation) with decreased CAT and SOD activities in kidney, indicating renal toxicity. In addition, the cyanide-induced oxidative stress leads to a decrease in GSH content, GSH-Red and GST activities. It exerts its effect by enhancing the non-enzymatic antioxidant as GSH and the detoxifying enzyme as GST (Saravanan et al., 2004). So it restores glutathione level and increases the activities of glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase (Saravanan et al., 2004). Oxidative stress in the cells or tissues refers to enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species and/or depletion in antioxidant defense system. ROS generated in the tissues are efficiently scavenged by enzymatic antioxidant system such as GSH-Px and glutathione reductase as well as non enzymatic antioxidants such as glutathione, vitamin A, C, and E (Schlorff *et al.,* 1999). GST is a detoxification enzyme which catalyzes the conjugation of many electrophilic agents with GSH (Hayes et al., 1995) so it may be bind to CN and this explain their decrease in kidney tissues. Cyanide is known to induce oxidative stress by depleting the cellular thiol (Gunasekar et al., 1996). Similarly, in the present study, GSH, an intracellular antioxidant, was depleted after exposure to 4.5mg KCN making the cell environment less reducing and vulnerable to oxidative stress. So the changes in kidney may be induced by cyanide due to the imbalance in the antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress as showed by (Elsaid and Elkomy 2006). In the present study, cyanide induced nephrotoxicity was reflected by the observed increases in serum uric acid and creatinine levels as well as total protein and lipid profile content (Elsaid and Elkomy 2006) as in table (3). Organosulphurs enhance the synthesis of the cellular GSH content in red blood cells (Wu et al., 2001), which is catalyzed by antioxidant enzymes (Godwin et al., 1992) also it may be alleviating the renal functions. The protective efficacy of *Allium* (Latif and ABD El-AAl, 2007) and *Ricinus* (Khogali et al., 1992) against cyanide-induced cytotoxicity can be attributed to the antioxidant property of both (Khogali et al., 1992). Also it can be interpreted by the sulphur donor properities of *Allium* (Latif and ABD El-AAl, 2007).

Modification by Aqueous Extracts of *Allium kurrat L.*

the kidney cells.

but administrative.

**8. Conclusion** 

**9. References** 

154.

26:191–201.

mice at least in kidney tissue.

Academic Press, New York, pp. 673-677.

and *Ricinus communis L*. of Cyanide Nephrotoxicity on Balb/C Mice 317

the data suggests that *Allium* and *Ricinus* induced P53 and suppressed Bcl-2 in the cyanide& *Allium* and cyanide& *Ricinus* groups which may help in attenuating of cyanide toxicity in

Currently, it is generally believed that the role of IL-12 is a heterodimeric cytokine produced by activated blood monocytes, macrophages and glial cells. It enhances differentiation and proliferation of T cells and increases production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Jifen et al., 2003). Cyanide makes induction for the IL-4 and IL-12 in cyanide group. But a low amount of IL-4 and IL-12 in cyanide administered rats treated with *Allium* and *Ricinus* extracts was observed as gene expression compared with control one. This confirms that both *Alluim* and *Ricinus* extract help in increasing the cyanide administered rat's immune system through modulating the interleukins expression as anti-inflammatory. To move in the end we suggest that both *Allium* and *Ricinus* play a vital role as antidotes and they are not protective

The toxicity of cyanide associated with a decrease in the antioxidants enzymes as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione and their relative enzymes and increase in the lipid peroxidation as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in the kidney of Balb/c mice. P53 gene showed high expression in responding to cyanide toxicity as well as Bcl-2 and interleukins 4& 12 genes that showed over-expression in the kidney of mice. The watery extract of *Allium* and *Ricinus* was capable to manage the biochemical and gene expression accomplished with cyanide intoxication. So, the *Allium* and *Ricinus* have antiodotal effect at least in Balb/C

Aebi, H. (1974). Catalase. In. Bergmeyer, H.U. (Ed.), Methods of Enzymatic Analysis.

Ardelt, B.K., Borowitz, J.L. and Isom, G.E. (1989). Brain lipid peroxidation antioxidant

Ardelt, B.K., Borowitz, J.L., Maduh, E.U., Swain, S.L. and Isom, G.E. (1994): Cyanide-

Baud FJ. (2007). Cyanide: critical issues in diagnosis and treatment. Hum Exp Toxicol,

Beasley, D. M. G. and Glass, W. I. (1998). Cyanide Poisoning: Pathophysiology and

Beutler, E., Duron, O. and Kelly, B.M. (1963).Improved method for the determination of

hydroperoxide generation in neuronal cells, Toxicology 89, 127–137. Baskin, S.I., and Fricke, R.F. (1992). The pharmacology of *p*-aminopropiophenone in the

detoxification of cyanide. Cardiovasc. Drug Rev. 10, 358.

Treatment Recommendations. *Occup Med (Lond).* 48: 427–431.

blood glutathione. *J Lab Clin Med* 61:882–888,

protectant mechanisms following acute cyanide intoxication. Toxicology 56, 147–

induced lipid peroxidation in different organs: subcellular distribution and

Moreover, cyanide is regarded as a selective neurotoxin (Pettersen and Cohen, 1993). It rapidly induces a non-competitive inhibition of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity, which results in compromised aerobic oxidative metabolism and phosphorylation, cellular hypoxia, and lactic acidosis (Baud, 2007). Other complications of cyanide toxicity include loss of ionic homeostasis, excitotoxicity along with free radical damage (Johnson et al., 1987a). Cyanide-impaired mitochondrial energy metabolism is accompanied by severe lactic acidosis, elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels, decreased cellular ATP content and lipid peroxidation, leading to activation of proteases, lipases and xanthine oxidases, culminating in cell death (Bondy and Komulainen, 1988). This is may be a mechanism explains the decrease of total lipid and total protein in the kidney in cyanide group.

#### **7.2 Cyanide intoxication and gene expression**

Oxidative species such as hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, or free radical intermediates play a crucial role upstream of apoptosis activation. Oxidative stress is a key factor in cyanidemediated apoptosis, partly by activation of redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-kB (Shou et al., 2002). Physiological effects of cyanide may be mediated through changes in the expression of gene products, either at the mRNA or protein level. Cyanide leads to stimulation of P53 expression in Cyanide group compared with the control ones. *Ricinus* and *kurrat* handle the expression of the P53 in cyanide administered mice and diminished the stimulation effect of cyanide of the P53 level in kidney cells. Activation of P53 in response to an obstruction of mitochondrial electron transport chain may additionally contribute to tissue damage (Khutornenko et al., 2010). It is worth noting that in cellular models of cyanide group, P53 was found to be conformational altered, making these cells less vulnerable to environmental stressors or genotoxic insults. But the expression of P53 was higher in cyanide& *Allium* and cyanide& *Allium* groups when compared with control one. Thus, P53 seems to play a pivotal role in cyanide detoxification, implying that modulation of cell death pathways might be of therapeutic benefit in cyanide detoxification. Apoptosis can be triggered by a variety of stimuli, including receptor ligation, growth factor withdrawal, exposure to chemotoxins, or even physical damage. Depending on the specific situation and the particular cell type, a variety of different internal signaling pathways can be initiated. However, these converge at certain control points into the execution phase of the program, where inhibitory or stimulatory cofactors like the family of Bcl-2 proteins come into action. Some members such as Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL block apoptosis, whereas others such as bax or bak promote apoptosis. Bcl-2 is apoptosis regulating gene which are functionally contradictory. The primary action of cyanide is inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase in complex IV of the oxidative phosphorylation chain, thereby blocking intracellular oxygen utilization (histotoxic hypoxia) and reducing cellular ATP generation (Leavesley et al., 2008). As a potent regulator of the Bcl-2, ROS regulate the expression of Bcl-2 via both transcription and protein degradation (Hildeman et al., 2003; Li et al., 2004). ROS-activated transcription factors such as NF-k B often negatively regulate transcription of the Bcl*-*2 gene (Pugazhenthi et al., 2003). Bcl-2 expression was induced in the cyanide group compared with the control one. But when cyanide group treated with aqueous *Allium* and *Ricinus* extracts low expression of Bcl-2 was observed as a result, *Allium* and *Ricinus* extracts managed the expression of the Bcl-2 by which the cell may not directed to apoptosis. Taken together, over-expression of Bcl-2 protected against the cyanide toxicity, thus providing strong evidence that Bcl-2 down-regulation contributes to the cell death (Zhang et al., 2009). Here the data suggests that *Allium* and *Ricinus* induced P53 and suppressed Bcl-2 in the cyanide& *Allium* and cyanide& *Ricinus* groups which may help in attenuating of cyanide toxicity in the kidney cells.

Currently, it is generally believed that the role of IL-12 is a heterodimeric cytokine produced by activated blood monocytes, macrophages and glial cells. It enhances differentiation and proliferation of T cells and increases production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Jifen et al., 2003). Cyanide makes induction for the IL-4 and IL-12 in cyanide group. But a low amount of IL-4 and IL-12 in cyanide administered rats treated with *Allium* and *Ricinus* extracts was observed as gene expression compared with control one. This confirms that both *Alluim* and *Ricinus* extract help in increasing the cyanide administered rat's immune system through modulating the interleukins expression as anti-inflammatory. To move in the end we suggest that both *Allium* and *Ricinus* play a vital role as antidotes and they are not protective but administrative.

#### **8. Conclusion**

316 Oxidative Stress – Environmental Induction and Dietary Antioxidants

Moreover, cyanide is regarded as a selective neurotoxin (Pettersen and Cohen, 1993). It rapidly induces a non-competitive inhibition of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity, which results in compromised aerobic oxidative metabolism and phosphorylation, cellular hypoxia, and lactic acidosis (Baud, 2007). Other complications of cyanide toxicity include loss of ionic homeostasis, excitotoxicity along with free radical damage (Johnson et al., 1987a). Cyanide-impaired mitochondrial energy metabolism is accompanied by severe lactic acidosis, elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels, decreased cellular ATP content and lipid peroxidation, leading to activation of proteases, lipases and xanthine oxidases, culminating in cell death (Bondy and Komulainen, 1988). This is may be a mechanism explains the

Oxidative species such as hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, or free radical intermediates play a crucial role upstream of apoptosis activation. Oxidative stress is a key factor in cyanidemediated apoptosis, partly by activation of redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-kB (Shou et al., 2002). Physiological effects of cyanide may be mediated through changes in the expression of gene products, either at the mRNA or protein level. Cyanide leads to stimulation of P53 expression in Cyanide group compared with the control ones. *Ricinus* and *kurrat* handle the expression of the P53 in cyanide administered mice and diminished the stimulation effect of cyanide of the P53 level in kidney cells. Activation of P53 in response to an obstruction of mitochondrial electron transport chain may additionally contribute to tissue damage (Khutornenko et al., 2010). It is worth noting that in cellular models of cyanide group, P53 was found to be conformational altered, making these cells less vulnerable to environmental stressors or genotoxic insults. But the expression of P53 was higher in cyanide& *Allium* and cyanide& *Allium* groups when compared with control one. Thus, P53 seems to play a pivotal role in cyanide detoxification, implying that modulation of cell death pathways might be of therapeutic benefit in cyanide detoxification. Apoptosis can be triggered by a variety of stimuli, including receptor ligation, growth factor withdrawal, exposure to chemotoxins, or even physical damage. Depending on the specific situation and the particular cell type, a variety of different internal signaling pathways can be initiated. However, these converge at certain control points into the execution phase of the program, where inhibitory or stimulatory cofactors like the family of Bcl-2 proteins come into action. Some members such as Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL block apoptosis, whereas others such as bax or bak promote apoptosis. Bcl-2 is apoptosis regulating gene which are functionally contradictory. The primary action of cyanide is inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase in complex IV of the oxidative phosphorylation chain, thereby blocking intracellular oxygen utilization (histotoxic hypoxia) and reducing cellular ATP generation (Leavesley et al., 2008). As a potent regulator of the Bcl-2, ROS regulate the expression of Bcl-2 via both transcription and protein degradation (Hildeman et al., 2003; Li et al., 2004). ROS-activated transcription factors such as NF-k B often negatively regulate transcription of the Bcl*-*2 gene (Pugazhenthi et al., 2003). Bcl-2 expression was induced in the cyanide group compared with the control one. But when cyanide group treated with aqueous *Allium* and *Ricinus* extracts low expression of Bcl-2 was observed as a result, *Allium* and *Ricinus* extracts managed the expression of the Bcl-2 by which the cell may not directed to apoptosis. Taken together, over-expression of Bcl-2 protected against the cyanide toxicity, thus providing strong evidence that Bcl-2 down-regulation contributes to the cell death (Zhang et al., 2009). Here

decrease of total lipid and total protein in the kidney in cyanide group.

**7.2 Cyanide intoxication and gene expression** 

The toxicity of cyanide associated with a decrease in the antioxidants enzymes as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione and their relative enzymes and increase in the lipid peroxidation as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in the kidney of Balb/c mice. P53 gene showed high expression in responding to cyanide toxicity as well as Bcl-2 and interleukins 4& 12 genes that showed over-expression in the kidney of mice. The watery extract of *Allium* and *Ricinus* was capable to manage the biochemical and gene expression accomplished with cyanide intoxication. So, the *Allium* and *Ricinus* have antiodotal effect at least in Balb/C mice at least in kidney tissue.

#### **9. References**


Modification by Aqueous Extracts of *Allium kurrat L.*

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**16** 

*France* 

**Dietary Antioxidants: From** 

*1UMR 204 NUTRIPASS,* 

*Université Montpellier 2, Montpellier, 2BIONOV S.A.R.L., Montpellier,* 

**Micronutrients and Phytochemicals** 

 **to Enzymes – Preventive Effects on** 

Sylvie Gaillet1, Dominique Lacan2 and Jean-Max Rouanet1

Development of atherosclerosis is thought to be closely dependent upon increased oxidative

Elsewhere, high-fat diets and sedentary lifestyles are important risk factors for obesity, which is a key feature of metabolic syndrome and which greatly predisposes individuals to liver diseases, cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension,

Today, due to oxidative stress, the postulated involvement of lipid peroxidation in atherogenesis and obesity invoked intensive interest in the use of antioxidant nutritional supplements. Epidemiological evidence suggests that intake of some vitamins, minerals, and other food constituents may help to protect against heart disease, obesity, cancer and the aging process and that antioxidants may have a protective effect, in either preventing

Many compounds, from natural sources, newly synthesised derivatives of these compounds, and common drugs, were tested for their potency to inhibit the peroxidation of plasma lipids induced by different oxidants in vitro to reduce the plaque formation in animal models in vivo and to reduce the morbidity and mortality in human subjects, in clinical trials. Indeed, mortality from cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the industrialised world. Diet is believed to play a major role in the development of this disease, and much research is being focused on identifying ways to prevent it through changes in dietary habits. A potentially important clinical corollary of the atherosclerosis oxidation theory is that inhibition of LDL oxidation may also inhibit atherosclerosis

Moreover, a close correlation has been found between increased oxidative stress in accumulated fat and the pathogenic mechanism of obesity and obesity-associated metabolic

and numerous cancers and is associated with markedly diminished life expectancy.

stress, that is, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS).

these diseases or lessening the severity of the diseases upon their onset.

independent of lowering plasma cholesterol concentrations.

**1. Introduction** 

**Early Atherosclerosis and Obesity** 

