Evaluation of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative DNA damage and metalloproteinases in the lungs of rats treated with cadmium and carvacrol

Background The potential protective properties of carvacrol (CRV), which possesses various biological and pharmacological properties, against lung toxicity caused by cadmium (Cd), a major environmental pollutant, were investigated in the present study. Methods and results In the study, rats were given 25 or 50 mg/kg CRV orally 30 min after administrating 25 mg/kg cadmium chloride for seven days. Subsequently, the levels of 8-OHdG, MMP-2, and MMP-9, as well as markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, were analyzed in the lung tissue of the animals. The results revealed that CRV exhibited antioxidant characteristics and raised SOD, CAT, GPx, and CAT levels and decreased the MDA levels induced by Cd. It also suppressed proinflammatory cytokines by lowering the levels of CRV NF-kappa B and p38 MAPK, thus exerting an anti-inflammatory effect against Cd. It was found that the levels of Bax, Caspase-3, and cytochrome c increased by Cd were decreased by the application of CRV. CRV also showed an anti-apoptotic effect by increasing Bcl-2 levels. The levels of 8-OHdG, MMP2, and MMP9, which increased with Cd administration, were observed to reduce after treatment with CRV. Conclusions The results indicate that CRV has protective properties against Cd-induced lung toxicity.

Journal

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS

Year

2022

Volume

49

Issue

2

Pages

1201-1211

ISSN

0301-4851

eISSN

1573-4978

DOI

10.1007/s11033-021-06948-z

WoS UID

WOS:000720266100002