Protective effect of Hypericum perforatum L. on serum and hair trace elements in rats 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced oxidative stress

The study was designed to assess the effect of Hypericum perforatum L. (HP) on serum and hair trace elements and mineral levels, oral administration of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced oxidative stress in Sprague-Dawley female rats. Analysis of the trace element has been carried out using atomic absorption spectrophotometer method at end of 60th day. It has been found out that the DMBA group contained statistically lower Zn and Cr compared to the control group (p<0.01) and (p<0.05), Cu, Mg and Na contained higher than control group (p<0.05), (p<0.05) and (p<0.05). In DMBA+H.P group, Zn higher and Na lower than DMBA group (p<0.05), (p<0.05), in hair samples Cd, K and Zn contained lower DMBA compared to the control group (p<0.05), (p<0.05) and (p<0.05). In group DMBA + H.P, Cd was higher than DMBA group and Cr lowered accordance with control group (p<0.05). The present study demonstrated significantly positive and beneficial effect of H.P on the concentration levels of Zn and Na in serum, also on Cd levels in hair between DMBA and DMBA+H.P groups. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.