Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Sempervivum tectorum L (Crassulaceae) on Aluminium-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Blood

Purpose: To examine the effect of Sempervivum tectorum aqueous extract, as infusion, on some biomarkers of oxidative stress induced by aluminium exposure in Wistar albino rat. Methods: The rats were randomly divided into five groups and treated daily for 3 months as follows: control received tap water; the 2nd group was given 1 mg/L aluminium as aluminium sulphate (AS) in drinking water daily; group 3, a combination of 1 mg/L AS and Sempervivum tectorum extract daily; the fourth group, Sempervivum tectorum extract daily; and fifth group 1 mg/L AS for three months and thereafter Sempervivum tectorum extract for one month. Results: Aluminium (Al) exposure increased, compared to control group, the level of blood Al (293.64 %, p < 0.0001), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD, 14.84 %, p > 0.05), glutathione peroxidase (G-Px, 31.25 %, p < 0.001) and thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS, 21.37 %, p < 0.001) but significantly decreased catalase (CAT, 49.59 %, p < 0.001), glutathione (GSH, 13.49 %, p < 0.001) and glutathione reductase (GSH-r, 23.08 %, p < 0.0001) levels. These results indicate that Al-induced oxidative stress in the rats. Following administration of Sempervivum tectorum extract, the levels of the oxidative stress biomarkers were restored to normal, indicating good antioxidant properties of the extract. Al blood level was also significantly reduced by 33.45 % (p < 0.001) in rats exposed to the extract. Rat body weight was not significantly (p > 0.05) affected by the extract. Conclusion: S. tectorum extract possesses antioxidant activity against free radicals produced in blood as a result of aluminium exposure.