The efficacy of some foods in reducing some heavy metal accumulation in rat’s liver

Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) are heavy metals that can cause strong biological effects. Some foods can neutralize or detoxify toxins and protect the liver from the toxic effects of heavy metals. These foods included garlic, ginger, carrot, corn, aloe vera, honey, milk thistle and Dates. The main objective of the present study was to indorse specific food formulas as detoxifying to minimize the harmful effect of lead, cadmium, and mercury. In this study, we investigated the effect of some foods on the toxicity of cadmium chloride (150 mg/l), mercury chloride (80 mg/l) and lead acetate (160 mg/l) in drinking water for 4 weeks on liver function of male rats. The results indicated that garlic, ginger, and milk thistles (formula 1) and garlic, ginger, carrot, corn, date mesocarp (pulp), aloe vera, and honey (formula 2) decrease the activity of the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and malondialdehyde (MDA) While increase Catalase (CAT) activity. Also (formula 2) recorded the best results compared with (formula 1). The pathological study of the tissues showed a complete improvement in the liver tissues after lead, cadmium and mercury caused severe liver damage. Concomitant use of (formula 2) and (formula 1) was found to reduce lead, cadmium and mercury concentration considerably indicating the potential therapeutic activity of (formula 2) and (formula 1) against heavy metals toxicity.