Potential Protective Effects of Ginkgo Biloba and Rosemary on Hepatoencephalopathy and Chromosomal Aberrations Induced By Manganese Chloride in Rats

Manganese is an essential nutrient for biological systems. However, its excess is potentially toxic resulting in neurodegenerative disorder, clinically known as ‘‘manganism’’ which distinctive for hepatoencephalopathy. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the toxic impacts of manganese chloride exposure on rat's liver and brain tissues, and the relative efficacy of Ginkgo biloba and Rosemary in averting such encephalohepatic damage. Rats were divided into 4 groups; control group had free access to water and food materials; manganese chloride group has received 50 mg/kg body weight/day in the drinking water (50 mg in 100 ml of water); Ginkgo biloba + manganese chloride group received a dose of 200 mg of Ginkgo biloba /kg body weight/day, orally dissolved in distilled water; and Rosemary + manganese chloride group received a dose of 10 mg of Rosemary /kg body weight/day, orally dissolved in distilled water by gavage all for 45 successive days. Oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated in serum and tissues (liver and brain). Manganese chloride induced lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation, chromosomal aberrations and inhibited butrylcholinesterase activity. Concerning the brain and liver antioxidant system, glutathione S -transferase , catalase activities, superoxide dismutase and glutathione contents were reduced in Manganese chloride group, while all of these parameters were sustained in Ginkgo biloba + Manganese chloride and Rosemary + Manganese chloride groups. Our results indicate that both Ginkgo biloba and Rosemary are efficacious in reducing Manganese chloride deleterious effects on liver and brain tissues and also exerted a genoprotective effect.