The Protective Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Olive Leaf on Aluminum Phosphide-Induced Cardiac Toxicity in Rats

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a treatment for aluminum phosphide (ALP) poisoning, which is known as “rice tablet”. Methods: In the present study, the impact of different doses of ethanolic extract of olive leaves (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) on ALP (120 mg/kg)-induced cardiotoxicity was evaluated in anesthetized-gastrotomized adult male Wistar rats. Thirty-five rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n=7) as follows: control (AC) and treatment groups [ALP+Olea100 (AO100), ALP+Olea 200 (AO200), and ALP+Olea 400 (AO400)]. Physiological data including blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG), as well as oxidative stress markers were measured in heart tissues. Results: ALP-intoxication led to perturbed normal ECG and increased oxidative stress. Administration of olive leaf extract at various concentrations, however, mitigated bradycardia after 90 minutes, following ALP-intoxication (in AO200), hypotension (in AO100), and cardiac conduction disturbances (decreased QTC in the AO200 30 (P<0.05), 60 (P<0.001), and 90 (P<0.05) minutes after intoxication) and decreased PR 60 (P<0.05) and 90 minutes (P<0.01) after intoxication. This was compared with baseline as well as detrimental changes in cardiac electrophysiology [mitigated ST-segment elevation in AO200 and depressed T-wave in the AO200 (P<0.05) and AO400 (P<0.01) groups 90 minutes after intoxication] Conclusion: Based on these authentic results, it seems that olive leaf extracts can be useful in reducing the severity of symptoms in ALP-poisoned individuals and could be utilized in a poisoning emergency.

Keywords

• aluminum compounds
• cardiotoxicity
• electrocardiography
• gastric lavage
• oxidative stress
• pesticides