Protective effects of propolis on inorganic mercury induced oxidative stress in mice.

Protective potential of propolis was evaluated against mercury induced oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymatic alterations in mice liver. Exposure to mercuric chloride (HgCl2; 5 mg/kg; ip) induced oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation and oxidized glutathione level along with concomitant decrease in glutathione and various antioxidant enzymes. Mercury intoxication deviated the activity of liver marker enzymes in serum. Conjoint treatment of propolis (200 mg/kg; po) inhibited lipid peroxidation and oxidized glutathione level, whereas increased glutathione level. Activities of antioxidants enzymes, i.e., superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were also restored concomitantly towards control after propolis administration. Release of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and y-glutamyl transpeptidase were significantly restored towards control after propolis treatment. Results suggest that propolis augments the antioxidants defense against mercury induced toxicity and provides evidence that it has therapeutic potential as hepatoprotective agent.