Abstract
The main objective of this study was to investigate the effectof Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis, L.) on some nutritional parameters and liver enzymes, kidney functions, lipid profiles, acetyl cholinesterase activities and antioxidants activities for aluminum toxicity induced in rats. The experiment was carried out using thirty two male albino rats. The rats were divided randomly into two main groups, the first main group fed on the basal diet only as a negative control (normal group) while, the second main group were intraperitoneally injected with aluminum chloride (AlCl3) to induce aluminum toxicity and divided into 3 subgroups (each 8 rats) as follow: Subgroup (1): was kept without any treatment as a positive control (+ve group) and fed on basal diet. Subgroups (2 & 3): were fed on basal diet containing 4% and 8% lemon balm, respectively. At the end of the experiment period (8 weeks). Results indicated that, injected rats with AlCl3 increased significantly all the previous parameters, except FI, BWG %, FER, high density lipoprotein, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and total antioxidants that showed significant decreasing compared with (C-ve group). Also histopathological results of organs showed damage in them. In contrary, feeding rats on diets containing lemon balm especially at high level (8%) revealed a marked improvement of these parametersand histopathological examinations of organs compared to +ve control group injected with AlCl3. The present study recommended that consuming lemon balm improved the symptoms of aluminum toxicity and prevent its complications.
Keywords: Melissa officinalis- Aluminum chloride- Acetyl cholinesterase – Antioxidants.