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Biochanin A (BCA) is a natural organic compound of the phytoestrogenic isoflavone class that has antioxidant and metal chelator properties in the presence of transition metal ions, however, its efficacy in animal models is still obscure. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of BCA against arsenic-induced hepatic injury and hematotoxicity in rats. The results suggest that arsenic intoxicated rats showed significantly higher levels of plasma hepatic markers than normal control rats. Furthermore, an increase in lipid peroxidation with depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) occurred in the livers of rats exposed to arsenic. Administration of BCA (20 mg/kg⋅bw/day) and selenium (3 mg/kg⋅bw/day) resulted in a significant reversal of hepatic and oxidative stress markers in arsenic-intoxicated rats. A low dose of BCA (10 mg/kg⋅bw/day) did not show any preventive effect, while a high dose of BCA (40 mg/kg⋅bw/day) partially prevented all hepatotoxicity events. These biochemical perturbations were supported by histopathological observations of the liver. Our results suggest that administration of BCA (20 mg/kg⋅bw/day) attenuated the arsenic hepatotoxicity, a property that could contribute to the therapeutic approaches for chronic liver diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel (Ni) is an important environmental toxicant that can cause cancer and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to examine the protective effects of troxerutin (Txn) Ni-induced renal dysfunction in rats using biochemical and histopathological approaches. Nickel (20 mg/kg body weight [b.w.]/day) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 20 days. Renal damage from Ni toxicity was evident from the changed levels of serum and urinary markers in Ni-treated rats. The levels of lipid peroxidation markers also significantly increased, while the levels of nonenzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants significantly decreased in the kidney of Ni-intoxicated rats. Troxerutin was administered orally (100 mg/kg b.w.) for 20 days along with Ni, resulting in a reversal of Ni-induced biochemical changes in kidney accompanied by a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation and an increase in the level of renal antioxidant defense system. Histopathological studies in the kidneys of rats also showed that troxerutin (100 mg/ kg b.w.) markedly reduced the toxicity of Ni and preserved the normal histological architecture of the renal tissue. The present study results suggest the nephroprotective potential of Txn in Ni toxicity, which might be due to its antioxidant and metal-chelating properties.

Nickel (Ni)-induced oxidative damage is a serious problem that leads to reproductive system failure through testicular damage. The present investigation was carried out to determine the effect of troxerutin (Txn) on testicular toxicity induced by Ni in experimental rat testes. The oral administration of Txn (100 mg/kg body weight [bw]) showed a significant (p < 0.01) increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), reduced glutathione, ascorbate, total sulphydryl groups, and testis-organ weight. Subsequently, the administration of Txn also significantly reduced the accumulation of Ni, lipid peroxidation products, and protein carbonyl levels in Txn-treated animals. Testicular protection in the experimental animals by Txn is further substantiated by a remarkable reduction of Ni, which was revealed through testicular tissue histopathology. These studies suggest that Txn could prevent oxidative damage and testicular toxicity induced by Ni in experimental animals.