Protective role of chlorella vulgaris and spirulina platensis on oxidative stress and toxicity induced by 1,2 dimethylhydrazine in rats

1, 2-Dimethylhydrazine (DMH), a toxic environmental pollutant is a well establishedprocarcinogen. DMH undergoes metabolism in the liver, resulting in the production of oxidative stress. Chlorella vulgaris (CV) and Spirulinaplatenesis(SP) are the single-celled microalgae, which have been reported to have antioxidant and anticancer properties. The present study was carried out to investigate the protective roles of CV and SP against DMH-induced oxidative stress in rat liver. Rats were divided into five groups. Group 1 served as -ve control, Group 2 received DMH, and served as +ve control, Group 3 received CV, Group 4 received SP, Group 5 received CV and SP for 5weeks. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were given DMH. Liver function tests, hepatic lipidperoxidation (LPO) and oxidative stress markers were examined by evaluating serum alanineaminotransferase (sALT), serum aspartateaminotransferase (sAST)malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In our study, the levels of sAST and sALT significantly increased in +ve control group compared with -ve control group. Enhanced LPO in the liver of +ve control rats were accompanied by a significant decreased in the activities of GSH, SOD and CAT, and increased in MDA. Oral administration of CV and SP to DMH-injected rats significantly reduced sALT, sAST, MDA, and enhanced the activities of GSH, SOD and CAT in the liver. Our study suggested that, CV and SP exert their protective roles against DMH-induced oxidative stress and toxicity in rat liver by modulating the extent of lipid peroxidation and augmenting antioxidant defense system.