Quercetin, a polyphenolic phytochemical prevents sodium azide-induced extra-hepatic oxidative stress in rats

This study investigated the protective effects of quercetin (QUER) in sodium azide (SAZ)-induced extra-hepatic (brain, lung, heart) oxidative stress in rats. SAZ administration significantly decreased and increased brain and lung GSH levels respectively, but was restored to levels comparable to normal control by QUER, while no significant difference was seen in heart GSH level. Brain and heart GST activities, as well as lung CAT activity were significantly reduced in SAZ-administered rats compared to normal control rats, but were significantly restored to normalcy by QUER treatment in heart only, while the significant increase in lung GST activity, as well as brain and heart CAT activities in SAZ-administered rats compared to control, were significantly attenuated by QUER treatment. A significant decrease in the brain, lung, and heart SOD activities, as well as brain and lung GPx activities in SAZ group compared to control, was recorded, but treatment with QUER significantly raised the activities of the enzymes back to normal. We therefore concluded from the findings of this study that quercetin could be a good candidate for the chemoprevention of SAZ-induced extra-hepatic oxidative stress.