HEPATOPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF CAMEL'S MILK AGAINST BENZENE INDUCED TOXICITY IN MALE RATS

Khalid Al-Fartosi* and Nessren H. Humaidan

ABSTRACT

Benzene is commonly used in daily life but it can be potentially toxic. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the protective effects of camel's milk against benzene induced biochemical alterations and oxidative stress in the liver of male white albino rats. White albino male rats (150-200 g) were divided into three groups of 6 rats: a control group treated orally with 1mL normal saline for two weeks, the benzene-treated group and the camel's milk-benzene-treated group. The benzene treated group received 0.5 ml kg-1 of benzene intrapretonealy at the first day from each week for two weeks. The camel's milk-benzene-treated group was injected intrapretonealy with 0.5 ml kg-1 at the first day from each week for two weeks + 1 mL/day of fresh camel’s milk for two weeks. Lipid peroxidation was determined by the serum concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Liver biochemical serum parameters were analyzed. Oral administration of benzene induced lipid peroxidation in the liver, which was indicated by a significant increase in lipid peroxidation biomarkers (TBARS). Also the data showed that the administration of benzene resulted in statistically significant increases in the serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartae aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and a significant decrease in total protein and albumin. In all rats treated with camel’s milk after given benzene, lipid peroxidation and other biochemical parameters were altered compared with male rats treated with benzene only.

Keywords: Benzene, camel’s milk, liver, rats, toxicity.