A.A. ELGOHARY *, M.W. SHAFAA**, B.M. RAAFAT***, R.A. RIZK**, F.G. METWALLY *, A.M. SALEH**
*Physiology and Histopathology Departments, Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Giza, Egypt
**Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
***Biochemistry Department, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
Abstract. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prophylactic action of Angelica archangelica against lead toxicity. The adverse effects of lead on blood and retina have been demonstrated after 15 days of oral lead administration. The electroretinogram (ERG) a-and b-wave were significantly reduced below the normal values. These retinal changes did not recover completely 15 days after ceasing of lead intake, as the b-wave amplitude was still significantly low. The ERG alterations were correlated to retinal histological changes. Administration of Angelica archangelica in combination with lead exerts an obvious prophylactic as well as therapeutical effects. The prophylactic effect of Angelica was more pronounced as ERG parameters were reversed to close the normal values and retinal cytoarchitecture was much ameliorated. Oral administration of lead caused an elevation of blood, bone, liver and kidney lead level as compared with control group. The biophysical parameters of blood (magnetic susceptibility, electrical conductivity, viscosity, and super oxide dismutase activity) were estimated. The results showed that the administration of lead induced significant alterations in these parameters. Upon the administration of Angelica archangelica in combination with lead recovered such alterations to near the control levels. The ability of Angelica to reduce lead toxicity may relate to its antioxidant and chelation action. Supplementation of diets with Angelica may be recommended to improve the body burden of lead and hence to protect the organ function against lead toxicity.
Key words: Lead toxicity, Angelica archangelica, ERG, histopathology, hemoglobin biophysics, prophylactic effect.