The effect of Syrian mesquite (Prosopis farcta) seed extract on thioacetamide-induced oxidative stress in rats

Background: This experimental study aimed at investigating the effect of Prosopis farcta seeds hydro-alcoholic extract on thioacetamide-induced oxidative stress in rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 30 adult male rats were randomly divided into three groups: healthy control, positive control, and P. farcta- treated group received thioacetamide. The healthy control rats received normal saline orally. The positive control rats received thioacetamide (50 mg/kg IP) for three times at one-day interval (oxidative stress induction). The P. farcta seed extract (100 mg/kg) was administered orally for 21 days. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken from the rats' heart to separate serum and the serum catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined. After euthanasia, liver and kidney were separated to determine malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Results: The activities of CAT and SOD were significantly lower in the thioacetamide- intoxicated group compared to those in the healthy control group (P<0.001). The treatment with P. farcta seed extract significantly increased the activities of these enzymes compared to the positive control group (P<0.001). Moreover, after three weeks of oral treatment, the P. farcta seed extract significantly reduced the liver MDA concentrations compared with the positive control rats (P<0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that P. farcta seed hydro-alcoholic extract can protect against thioacetamide-induced oxidative stress.