THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ARGANIA SPINOSA SEEDS AGAINST HYPERHOMOCYSTENEMIA INDUCED BY HIGH METHIONINE DIET IN MICE

Objective : Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant capacities lead to several clinical manifestations and particularly, cardiovascular and liver diseases. Our aim in this study was to investigate the protective effect of Argania spinosa crude exctract against high methionine diet  induced  HHcy ,  oxidative stress and damages in the aorta, and  heart of mice. Materials and methods: Adult male Mus Musculus were systematically divided into four groups of similar mean body weights and fed for 21 days with control and experimental diets. The control group (F) was fed with white bread (0.50mg/mice), group (M) was fed with L-methionine (500mg/kg/day), group (MP) was fed with L-methionine (500mg/kg/day) plus A.spinosa crude extract (150mg/kg), and the group (P) was treated with A.spinosa crude extract (150mg/kg/day). The experimental diets were given in white bread (0.50mg/mice). After 3 weeks of treatments, homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations, hepatic antioxidant status and histological sections of aorta and heart were determined. Results: Consumption of high methionine diet led to an increase in plasma Hcy , reduced the concentrations of GSH, and  the enzyme catalase. These were associated with the loss and degeneration of endothelium, fenestration and formation of foam cells of aorta, also the alteration of the cardiac muscle. However, administration of A.spinosa crude extract in combination  with methionine ameliorated all these changes. Conclusion : A.spinosa crude extract is effective in decreasing plasma Hcy level as induced by methionine enriched diet in mice,   and improves the antioxidants defense.