Synergistic effects of ferritin and propolis in modulation of beryllium induced toxicogenic alterations

Synergistic therapeutic potential of ferritin (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and propolis (honeybee hive product; 200 mg/kg, p.o.) was analyzed to encounter the beryllium induced biochemical and ultra morphological alterations. Female albino rats were exposed to beryllium nitrate (1 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for 28 days followed by treatment of above mentioned therapeutic agents either individually or in combination for five consecutive days. Exposure to beryllium increased its concentration in serum, liver and kidney and significantly altered the activities of CYP2E1 and CYP1A2 enzymes, microsomal lipid peroxidation and microsomal proteins. Activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, bilirubin, protein, creatinine and urea in serum as well as hemoglobin and blood glucose level; activity of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase, total triglycerides, total cholesterol, total protein contents, glycogen contents, lipid peroxidation and glutathione level in liver and kidney were significantly altered after beryllium administration. Beryllium exposure severely altered ultramorphology of liver and kidney that proved its toxic consequences at cellular level. Ferritin in combination with propolis dramatically reversed the alterations of these variables towards control in a synergistic manner concluding its beneficial effects over monotherapy in attenuating beryllium induced systemic toxicity.