The relationship of Echinacea purpurea to the toxicity of cadmium

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a ubiquitous metal and cumulative poison that may cause liver and kidney damage and the formation of neoplasia. The experiments were performed on white laboratory mice using intraperitoneal injections of 0.05 LD 50 of cadmium chloride solution. Two groups of mice were injected with Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench liquid extract: one 0.05 LD 50 and the other 0.1 LD 50 . Cd concentration in mouse blood, kidneys, liver, spleen, heart, and skeletal muscles was detected by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Estimated mitotic index of liver cells reflected the mitotic activity in the liver. Mitotic index in liver cells increases under the Cd intoxication, but it remains unchanged after simultaneous injection of Cd and Echinacea purpurea liquid extract. In this study, the changes in organs and metabolism, the accumulation of various levels of intraperitoneal Cd in tissues, and the effects of Echinacea purpurea liquid extract on Cd-induced changes in mice were investigated. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Ltd.