The study investigated the effects of methoxychlor (MXC), an organochlorine pesticide, on liver and kidney function in rats and the potential protective effects of propolis. Rats were exposed to MXC, propolis, or both for 6 or 12 months. MXC exposure significantly increased liver enzymes and oxidative stress markers in the liver and caused histological damage. It also increased kidney dysfunction biomarkers and caused tubular degeneration. Co-administration of propolis with MXC ameliorated many of the toxic effects of MXC on the liver and kidney, decreasing oxidative stress and normalizing biomarker levels. The study suggests that propolis has protective effects against MXC-induced toxicity in

1. Basic Research Journal of Animal Science Vol. 1(1) pp. 07-16 December 2013
Available online http//www.basicresearchjournals.org
Copyright ©2013 Basic Research Journal
Full Length Research Paper
Ameliorative effect of propolis against methoxychlor
induced hepato renal dysfunction
Neveen A. EL Nisr1
, Eman E. El-Sharkawy2
, M. R. Abd Ellah3
, Walaa M. Elsherif 1
, G. F.
Kames1
, S. M. Sayed1
, Nahed, M. Wahba1
*, M. M. Abdel-Hafeez1
, A. A. Aamer3
and M. F. Abdel-
Rahman4
1
Animal Health Research Institute, Assuit, Egypt.
2
Departement of Fronsic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assuit University, Egypt.
3
Departement of Animal Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assuit University,
Egypt.
4
Plant Protection Research Institute, Assuit, Egypt.
*Corresponding author email address: nahedmw@yahoo.com; Tel.: +0882325698.
Accepted 11 December. 2013
The present study has determined the ability of Methoxychlor (MXC), an organochlorine pesticide, to
induce hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity in female rats and the effectiveness of propolis in modulating
these effects in liver and kidney of rats. Animals were assigned to 1 of 4 groups in each stage of the
experiment for 6 and 12 months, respectively: control; 200 mg MXC/kg bw, twice / week, orally; 200 mg
propolis/L drinking water/ daily; MXC (200 mg/kg bw, twice / week, orally) plus propolis (200 mg/L,
drinking water), respectively. Rats were administered their respective doses for 6 or 12 months. The
levels of serum enzymes and histological alterations in liver and kidney were investigated. In addition,
the levels of lipid peroxidation metabolite thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) and the
antioxidant enzyme reduced glutathione (GSH) were assayed in liver homogenate. MXC caused a
significant increase in serum transaminases (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatase, urea and creatinine
levels, while MXC induced a significant reduction in total protein and albumin levels. MXC significantly
inhibited lipid peroxidation and markedly enhanced glutathione in liver homogenate. Furthermore,
severe pathological damages as: degeneration and coagulative necrosis of the hepatocytes were
established in liver. Kidney showed increase cellularity of the glomeruli, degeneration of the tubular
epithelium. Simultaneous treatments with propolis significantly modulated the toxic effects of MXC. It
can be concluded that propolis has beneficial influences and could be able to antagonize MXC toxicity.
Keywords: Hepatotoxicity, Methoxychlor, Nephrotoxicity, Oxidative damage Propolis.
INTRODUCTION
Methoxychlor (MXC; 1, 1, 1 – trichloro - 2, 2 – bis - (4 -
methoxyphenyl)-ethane), a broad spectrum
organochlorine (OC) pesticide, gained popularity because
of its short half-life in mammals (Kapoor et al., 1970).
However, this compound can be deposited on the
ground, bind to soil particles, thus decreasing its mobility
(Derr, 1974). MXC would be expected to cause some
degree of hepatotoxicity, by virtue of being an
organochlorine compound, as well as its structural
similarity to DDT which can cause characteristic liver
damage (Morgan and Hickenbottom, 1979).
It has been reported that MXC undergo hepatic
microsomal monooxygenase mediated activation and the
resultant reactive metabolites possibly free radicals bind

2. covalently to microsomal components (Bulger et al.,
1983). Antioxidants, free radical scavengers, and
sulfhydryl containing compounds inhibit covalent binding
of MXC in human liver microsomes, suggesting that the
reactive intermediate is a free radical (Bulger and Kupfur,
1989). It has also been reported that human cytochrome
P-450 enzymes responsible for conversion of MXC into
its major metabolites, the mono-o-demethylated
derivatives and CYP1A2, have been shown to play
predominant role in this reaction (Stresser and Kupfer,
1998). The ability of cytochrome P-450 system to induce
reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been reported
(Bondy and Naderi, 1994). ROS are formed in both
physiological and pathological conditions in mammalian
tissues, due to their high reactivity they may interact with
biomolecules inducing oxidative stress (Ochsendoerf,
1999). Free radicals/ROS generated in tissues and
subcellular compartments are efficiently scavenged by
the antioxidant defense system, which constitutes
antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase,
catalase, and glutathione reductase and glutathione
peroxidase. Under normal physiological conditions free
radicals/ROS are generated in subcellular compartments
of liver which are subsequently scavenged by the
antioxidant defense system of the corresponding cellular
compartments. The organs production of free radicals
and function of the antioxidant defence system have
been reported upon exposure to toxic chemicals (Sujatha
et al., 2001 and Latchoumycandane et al., 2002).
Propolis is a resinous substance to that honey bees
collect from different plant exudates and use it to fill the
gaps and to seal the parts of the hive (Marcucci et al.,
1995). Flavonoids and phenolics are the major
complementary compounds of propolis (Ivanovska et al.,
1995) that has beneficial effects as natural antioxidants
(Basnet et al., 1997) and prevent oxidative damage of
DNA caused by reactive oxygen species. The antioxidant
effects may be a result of a combination of radical
scavenging and an interaction with enzyme functions
(Benkovic et al., 2007). Some components of the propolis
are absorbed and circulate in the blood and behave as
hydrophilic antioxidant and save vitamin C (Sun et al.,
2000). Furthermore, the propolis extract has been
reported to have a broad spectrum of biological activities,
including antiproliferative (Russoa et al., 2004),
immunomodulatory (Orsolic and Basic, 2003) and
neuroprotective (Shimazawa et al., 2005). Synergism
between propolis and, antimicrobial agents (Stepanovic
et al., 2003) and with chelators against metal intoxication
(Nirala et al., 2008) has also been observed. Oral
supplementation with propolis may protect the animals
from the harmful effects of MXC. Thus, the present
research aimed to evaluate whether exposure to MXC
induces nephrotoxicity, hepatocellular damage, oxidative
stress in the liver of female rats, and whether co-
administration with propolis could reverse the effect of
MXC-induced toxicity in liver and kidney of rats.
Wahba et al. 08
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Chemicals
Methoxychlor (1, 1, 1-trichloro-2, 2-bis [methoxyphenyl]
ethane, Approx 95%, was purchased from Sigma (St.
Louis, Mo., USA). MXC was dissolved in corn oil (1:100).
The propolis samples were collected during (Jan-
Dec2012) from an apiary hive bee’s located in Assiut
Governorate by scraping the walls and frames of the
hives. Aqueous Propolis Extraction (APE) was prepared
according to Crane (1990): Ten grams of crude propolis
were added to 90 ml distilled water. The mixture was
gradually heated, and allowed to boil for 3 minutes with
shaking for 1/2 hour. Then it was left at room temperature
for 24 h. This procedure was repeated daily for 5
successive days. The extraction was filtered and stored
at - 4
0
C until used. Reduced glutathione (GSH)
antioxidant enzyme and lipid peroxide thiobarbituric acid
reacting substances (TBARS) were measured using
commercial test kits supplied Bio-diagnostics (Bio-
diagnostics, Cairo, Egypt). All other chemicals used in the
experiment were of analytical grade.
Animals
One hundred adult female Sprague–Dawley rats, 4 to 6
weeks old, weighing about 100–120 gm at the beginning
of the experiment were used in all experiments. They
were obtained from the Laboratory Animal House, Assiut
University, Egypt. The animals were housed in plastic
cages on wood chips for bedding and allowed to
acclimatize two weeks before starting the experiment.
Rats fed standard food pellets and tap water adlibitum.
The rats were housed at 24-25
0
C and humidity (65%) and
in daily dark/light cycle. The studies were conducted in
accordance with the principles and procedures outlined in
the National Institute of Health of USA (NIH) guide for the
Care and Use of the Laboratory Animals (National
Research Council, 1996).
Experimental design
The experiment is divided to two stages: First stage for 6
months and the second stage for 12 months. In both
stages, rats were randomly divided into four groups of
twenty five animals each as follows: MXC -treated group
received an oral dose of MXC 200 mg/ kg b.w, twice/
week, by gavage for 6 or 12 months. This dose was
selected because it has been used in previous studies
without demonstrating toxic effects in the exposed
animals (Anway et al., 2005 and Murono et al., 2006).
MXC plus propolis group was concomitantly treated with
both MXC as previously described and propolis daily in a
dose of APE 200 mg/ L orally, in drinking water for 6 or12

3. 09. Basic Res. J. Anim. Sci.
months. Propolis -treated group was received daily a
dose of APE 200 mg/ L orally, in drinking water for 6 or12
months. This dose was used according to the previous
studies of Bhadauria et al. (2007). Control group received
a daily oral dose of 2 ml corn oil.
Sample collections
After 6 and 12 months of MXC exposure, female rats
were anesthetized with CO, and decapitated. Trunk blood
was collected after decapitation and allowed to clot at
4°C. Sera were collected and stored at -80°C until
determination of serum total protein as well as liver
function enzyme activities (ALT, AST, and ALP) as well
as kidney function parameters (creatinine and blood urea
nitrogen). Meanwhile, the abdominal cavity was dissected
immediately; the liver and kidney were separated for the
histopathological examination.
Biochemical assays
Serum was used to determine total protein and albumin
by colorimetric method according to Doumas, (1971). The
serum samples were assayed for aspartate transaminase
(AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase
(ALP) according to Rec, (1972). Serum was used to
determine creatinine level according to Sies, et al. (1985),
urea concentration according to Tietz, (1990).
Estimation of lipid peroxidation in liver
A breakdown product of lipid peroxidation, thiobarbituric
acid reacting substances (TBARS) was measured by the
method described by Rungby and Ernst (1992). In brief,
the reaction mixture consisted 0.2 ml of 8.1% SDS, 1.5
ml of 20% acetic acid solution adjusted to pH 3.5 with
NaOH, 1.5 ml of 0.8% aqueous solution of thiobarbituric
acid and 0.2 ml liver homogenate (20% in 1.15% KCl).
The mixture was made up to 4.0 ml with distilled water
and kept in boiling water bath for 60 min. After cooling
with tap water, the mixture was centrifuged at 2500g for
10 min. The supernatant was taken out and the intensity
of pink color was measured at 532 nm on a
spectrophotometer. TBARS were quantified using an
extinction coefficient of 1.56 - 105 M1 cm1 and
expressed as nmol of TBARS per mg protein.
Estimation of reduced glutathione in liver
GSH in the liver was assayed by the method described
by Sedlak and Lindsay (1968). The fresh tissues were
immediately homogenized in ice-cold 0.02 M EDTA
solution. Aliquots of tissue homogenate were treated with
50% w/v trichloroacetic acid while shaking, kept for 15
min and centrifuged. After supernatant fractions were
mixed with Tris buffer (pH 8.9) and DTNB, absorbance at
412 nm was measured. Reduced glutathione was used
as an external standard. GSH levels were expressed as
lmol/g tissue.
Determination of Protein
Protein concentrations were measured by the method of
Bradford (1976), using bovine serum albumin as a
standard. Protein concentration used for the
concentration of reduced glutathion and lipid peroxidation
TBARS and can be expressed as activity per milligram of
protein by dividing the units by milliliter of protein
concentration.
Histopathological examination
Liver and kidney specimens were fixed with 10%
formaldehyde and processed routinely for paraffin
embedding technique. Embedded tissue were sectioned
at 5 mµ and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)
(Bancroft and Stevens, 1996) for routine histopathological
examination. They were then examined under the light
microscope.
Statistical analysis
The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA for all
experiments. Statistically significant differences were
determined using the Dunnett’s test for comparing to the
vehicle-treated control or the Bonferroni test for multiple
comparisons. Graph Pad Prism graphing and analysis
software (version 4a; Graph Pad Software, Inc., San
Diego, CA) was used for all statistical analyses. A
statistically significant difference was confirmed at P <
0.05.
RESULTS
Biochemical analysis
A significant reduction in serum total protein and albumin
concentration (gdl) was obtained in the serum of MXC
and MXC plus propolis -treated groups than the control
after 6 and 12 months of exposure. On the other hand, a
significant elevation in serum ALT, AST and ALP levels
(U/I) were recorded in MXC and MXC plus propolis-
treated rates than the control after 6 and 12 months of
exposure. There was a significant difference between
MXC -treated and MXC plus propolis-treated groups in
total protein, albumin, and ALT, AST and ALP serum

4. Wahba et al. 10
Table 1. Effect of chronic exposure to MXC )for 6 months (on the different serum biochemical parameters in female rats and the
protective effect of propolis.
Groups TP
gdl
ALB
gdl
GLobulin gdl ALT
Ul
AST
Ul
ALP
Ul
Creatinine
mgdl
Urea
mgdl
MXC 6.17±0.2* bc 3.42±0.44*c 2.34±0.33*bc 79.5± 6.7 *bc 126.26±48.7 *bc 87.12±10*bc 0.23±0.04 54.14±6.0
Propolis
+MXC
8.72±0.1a 3.64±0.34c* 4.15±0.23a 59.6± 3.8 *ac 121.82±20.6 *ac 76.88±21* ac 0.20±0.05 50.47±5.1
Propolis 8.49±0.2a 4.43±0.23ab 4.98±0.32a 38.4 ± 3.3 ab 114.02± 22.6 ab 56.13±5 ab 0.20±0.03 49.21±4.6
Control 8.53±0.3 4.13±0.30 3.33±0.43 40.0 ± 3.1 112.30±24.5 55.43±3 0.21±0.02 54.35±6.3
Data are expressed as means ± S.D. of twenty five animals per group.*denotes P < 0.05 as compared to control group, a
denotes P < 0.05 as compared to MXC- group. b denotes P < 0.05 as compared to MXC+Propolis -group. C denotes P < 0.05
as compared to Propolis – group (One- way ANOVA/Duncan).
Table 2. Effect of chronic exposure to MXC )for 12 months (on the different serum biochemical parameters in female rats, and the
protective effect of propolis.
Groups
TP
gdl
ALB
gdl
Globulin
gdl
ALT
Ul
AST
Ul
ALP
Ul
Creatinine
mgdl
Urea
mgdl
MXC 5.33±0.2*c 3.20±0.3*c 2.21±0.2 * c 89.7 ± 9.7 *bc 301 ± 27.9 * bc 796 ± 102.5 * bc 0.29±0.02 *bc 79.57± 6.5 *bc
Propolis
+ MXC
5.83±0.3*c 3.34±0.1*c 2.49±0.3 * c 57.9± 6.8 * ac 175 ± 21.8 * ac 592 ± 39.8* ac 0.20±0.02 *ac 66.18± 4.4 *ac
Propolis 8.51±0.4ab 4.45±0.2 ab 2.65±0.4 ab 37.8 ± 5.3 ab 122 ± 18.3 ab 376 ± 47.6 ab 0.19± 0.04 ab 52.50±6.7 ab
Control 7.56±o.1 4.23±0.2 3.23±0.1 43.1 ± 6.1 129 ± 14.5 385 ± 42.5 0. 21±0.01 54.35±5.4
Data are expressed as means ± S.D. of twenty five animals per group.*denotes P < 0.05 as compared to control group, a denotes P <
0.05 as compared to MXC- group. b denotes P < 0.05 as compared to MXC+Propolis -group. C denotes P < 0.05 as compared to
Propolis - group (One- way ANOVA/Duncan).
Table 3. Effect of chronic exposure to MXC on the oxidative
indices in the liver tissues and the protective effect of propolis.
Groups GSH
(U/mg protein)
TBARS
(nmol/g protein)
MXC 16.1 ± 0.99*bc 56.2 ± 3.66* bc
MXC and propolis 24.2 ± 1.39*ac 36.6 ± 2.95* ac
propolis 33.6 ± 2.07 ab 25.2 ± 3.13 ab
Control 27.3 ± 1.48 32.8 ± 3.05
Data are expressed as means ± S.D. of twenty five animals
per group.*denotes P < 0.05 as compared to control group, a
denotes P < 0.05 as compared to MXC- group. b denotes P <
0.05 as compared to MXC+Propolis -group. C denotes P < 0.05
as compared to Propolis – group (One- way ANOVA/Duncan).
levels in the first and second stages of the experiment.
The control and propolis-treated rats had equivalent
serum concentrations of all previous parameters. There
was not a significant difference of creatinine and urea
levels (mgdl) in the serum of tested rats was recorded
when compared to the control group (P < 0.05) after 6
months of exposure but a significant difference was
obtained in these parameters after 12 months of
exposure (Tables 1and 2).
TBARS and GSH concentrations in the liver
As shown in Table 3, liver TBARS levels were
significantly higher in MXC and MXC plus propolis treated
groups when compared to control group (P < 0.05). On
the other hand, the liver GSH concentration in MXC and
MXC plus propolis groups were significantly lower than
control group (P < 0.05). There is a significant (p < 0.0 5)

5. 11. Basic Res. J. Anim. Sci.
Figure 1. Liver of rat treated with methoxychlor showed
sever degeneration of the hepatocytes with disappearance
of some nuclei, widening of the central vein and
degeneration of its wall. H and E X 25
Figure 2. Liver of rat treated with mythoxychlor showed
coagulative necrosis of the hepatocytes with acidophilic
cytoplasm and pykotic nucleus. H and E X 40.
Figure 3. Liver of rat treated with mythoxychlor showed
congestion of the central vein which surrounded with
leukocytic cells mainly macrophages cell. H and E X 10.
amelioration of ??? in the activities of TBARS and GSH
levels in MXC plus propolis treated rats. However, there
was not a significant difference between the control and
propolis-treated rats. These alterations were equal in
both first and second stages of the experiment.
Histopathology
Liver
Liver of rats exposed to MXC for 6 months showed
degeneration of the hepatocytes (Figure 1) which
changed to coagulative necrosis at the end of this stage
(Figure 2). The hepatic blood vessels were firstly
congested and surrounded with leucocytic infiltration
(lymphocytes and macrophages (Figure 3) then the

6. Wahba et al. 12
Figure 4. Liver of rat treated with mythoxychlor showed
portal area congested and surround with leukocytes H
and E X 10.
Figure 5. Liver of rat treated with mythoxychlor showed
sever destruction of the hepatocytes. H and E X 25.
Figure 6. Liver of rat treated with mythoxychlor and
camel milk showed nearly normal hepatic cells and
slightly congested central vein. H and E X 10.
fibrous connective tissue began to proliferate around
them. The portal areas were infiltrated with leukocytes
(Figure 4). In the second stages of the experiment (12
months) the liver tissue were severely damaged, the
hepatocytes were disarranged and showed coagulative
necrosis (Figure 5). The blood vessels and bile ducts
were dilated and surrounded with thick connective tissue
infiltrated with leukocytes. The liver of rats of MXC plus
propolis group showed mild degenerative changes in the
hepatocytes and normal hepatic vasculature after 6
months (Figure 6). In the second stage one case of them
showed dilatation in the bile ducts which surrounded with
mild proliferated connective tissue and leukocytic
infiltration (Figure 7). Propolis treated group showed
normal hepatic architecture, blood vessels and bile ducts.

7. 13. Basic Res. J. Anim. Sci.
Figure 7. Kidney of rat treated with methoxychlor
showed congestion of the glomeruli, increase
number of the mesangeal cells and degeneration of
the tubular epithelium. H and E X 40.
Figure 8. Kidney of rat treated with methoxychlor
showed increase thickness of the renal blood
vessels wall with thick connective tissue. H and E
X 25.
Figure 9. Kidney of rat treated with methoxychlor
and camel milk showed normal glomeruli and normal
blood vessels. H and E X 10.
Kidney
The kidney of rats exposed to MXC showed congestion
of the glomerular and renal blood vessels with increase
cellularity of the glomeruli mainly mesangeal cells.
Degeneration of the tubular epithelium was observed
(Figure 8) this in the first stage of the experiment while in
the late stage, there was connective tissue proliferation in
the interstitial tissue and around the blood vessels. This
connective tissue was infiltrated with macrophages and
lymphocytes (Figure 9). Rats treated with MXC plus
propolis showed normal glomeruli mesangeal cells, renal
tubules and renal blood vessels (Figure 10).

8. Wahba et al. 14
Figure 10: Rats treated with MXC plus propolis showed
normal glomeruli mesangeal cells, renal tubules and
renal blood vessels
DISCUSSION
The present study revealed that MXC in chronic exposure
was associated with significant reduction in the levels of
serum total protein and albumin. Moreover, the activities
of serum marker enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) were
found elevated markedly in rats treated with MXC. No
such changes were observed in control rat samples. As
evident from the present results, propolis alone did not
increase the activities of serum AST, ALT and ALP
levels. In addition, the simultaneous treatment with
propolis could bring a significant decrease in activities of
these enzymes when compared to MXC exposed groups.
Rahman et al. (2000) reported that the increase in the
activities of different enzymes in blood might be due to
the necrosis of liver and this showing the stress condition
of the treated animals. At this point, our study clearly
supports that liver damage is induced by MXC
administration. As a matter of fact, the elevation in
transaminases are encountered in conditions causing
hepatocellular damage, loss of functional integrity of the
cell membrane, and necrosis such as in chemically
induced liver injury and elevation in enzymes (Ninh et al.,
2003). The rise in serum AST and ALT is more specific
and predominant in the liver injury. The modulations in
transaminases are also influenced by the degree of
hepatic decomposition related to cell necrosis (Singhal
and Merali, 1977). A significant increase in ALP could
occur in parenchymal liver disorders such as hepatitis
and cirrhosis, and striking elevation is encountered with
extrahepatic biliary tract (mechanical) obstruction or with
intrahepatic (functional cholestasis) (Salvatore et al.,
1997). Our histopathological findings confirmed
hepatocellular damage where, on microscopic
examination the livers in MXC-treated groups revealed
severe pathological damages such as: sinusoidal
dilatation, congestion of central vein, lipid accumulation
and lymphocyte infiltration. On the other hand, our results
pointed out that the treatment of propolis provided
protection against liver damage. In rats given propolis,
the livers showed more and less lipid accumulations.
Furthermore, our findings indicate that MXC causes
increased ROS production, oxidative damage, and
decreased antioxidant defense in the rat liver, which
might result in an oxidized state in the cells. It has been
known that increased TBARS level and decreased GSH
concentration indicates an increased generation of ROS,
which cause lipid peroxidation in the liver (Nandi et al.,
2005). This MXC-induced oxidative stress may lead to
increased hepatocellular damage and this, in turn, could
lead to reduced serum levels of total protein and albumin
and increases of many metabolic enzyme levels in rat
liver. Similarly, our previous works have been
demonstrated that MXC generate ROS that caused
oxidative damage in erythrocyte lysates of rats
(Elsharkawy and Sharkawy, 2011). Thus, increases of
serum ALT and AST activities by MXC treatment can be
explained in part by induction of CYP2E1, CYP2B, and
CCl4 bioactivation. To form highly reactive free radicals
to cause lipid peroxidation, hepatocellular damage, and
enzyme leakage (Sierra-Santoyo et al., 2000; Oropeza-
Hern andez et al., 2003).
In the present study, there was increase in both urea
and creatinine serum levels in MXC– treated group in
comparison with control after 12 months of exposure.
Histologically, kidney showed increase cellularity of the
glomeruli mainly mesangeal cells associated with
degeneration of the tubular epithelium in the first stage of
the experiment while in the late stage; there was
connective tissue proliferation in the interstitial tissue
infiltrated with macrophages and lymphocytes. Rats
treated with MXC and propolis showed normal glomeruli
mesangeal cells, renal tubules and renal blood vessels in
both first and second stages of the experiment. In
previous reports, nephrotoxicity induced after chronic
exposure to MXC in different animals where, MXC in
chronic intoxication of dogs at dosages of 2000 mg/ kg/
day in the diet led to high uric acid and serum creatinine
in 6 weeks. Rabbits given 200 mg/ kg/ day orally died
after four or five doses; autopsy findings included mild
liver damage and nephrosis (Chen, 2002).
No single mechanism emerges to explain all the

9. 15. Basic Res. J. Anim. Sci.
systemic effects of MXC. One of the mechanisms
involves free radical-induced oxidative cell injury in MXC
toxicity (Oropeza- Hern andez et al., 2003). As a matter
of fact, interactions between oxidative stress and hepatic
damage may accelerate the progression of chronic
hepatodegenerative disorders, including enzymes
increase induced by MXC (Bulger et al., 1983; Sierra-
Santoyo et al., 2000). On the contrary, increasing
antioxidant capacity plays an important role as
hepatoprotective (Pushpavalli et al., 2008). So there is
great interest in the clinical roles of propolis (Newairy et
al., 2009; Yousef and Salama, 2009). Some authors have
underlined the occurrence of alterations in enzyme
activities and TBARS levels upon the administration of
propolis. Jasprica et al. (2007) reported that propolis
caused reduction in TBARS levels and increase in SOD,
GSH-Px, and CAT activities. Recent studies indicate
that propolis is able to inhibit the formation of the
superoxoid anion (Russo et al., 2001) and may also act
as a scavenger against oxygen radicals (Pascual et
al., 1994). Propolis extract might induce reversion of the
increased activity of ALT and lipid peroxidation
concentration of the serum of rats treated with
galactosamin (Rodríguez et al., 1997). Also, propolis is
able to induce hepatoprotective effects on paracetamol
induced liver damage in mice (Nirala et al., 2008).
Propolis significantly decrease the elevation of serum
GOT, GPT and TG, and also remarkably decrease the
hepatocellular fatty degeneration (Lin et al., 1997).
Additionally propolis extract also decreased glutathione
levels in the liver (Lin et al., 1999). Taken together, these
findings constitute evidence that the antioxidative
properties of the propolis contribute to the prevention of
liver damage induced by MXC in rats. Propolis and its
polyphenolic/flavonoid components showed antioxidant
activity through the scavenging of singlet oxygen,
hydroxyl, superoxide free radicals, and lipid peroxides
(Ferrali et al., 1997 and Jasprica et al. 2007).
CONCLUSION
Our results indicate that the MXC plus propolis –treated
group was significantly differed in most previous
parameters than the MXC -treated group. These findings
reflected MXC in chronic exposure induced hepatotoxicity
and nephrotoxicity and propolis can protect against MXC
toxicity.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We wish to thank the staff members in Animal Health
Research Institute, Dep. of Fronsic Meicine and
Toxicology and Dep. Animal Medicine and Clinical
Laboratory Diagnosis Fac. Vet. Med., Assuit Univ., Egypt.
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