Fereshteh Ezzatighadi

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element involved in normal reproduction but its over-exposure may produce some detrimental effects.The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of purslane on copper sulphate poisoning on liver structures changes. Twenty eight wistar rats were randomly allocated to four treatment groups. Group I) Control, Group II) Copper sulphate (200 mg/kg bw were applied by gavage daily for 4 wk, Group III) Purslane (gavage 400 mg/kg bw daily for 4wk) and Group IV) Combined treatment of copper sulphate and purslane as described in Group II and III. Animals were sacrificed after four weeks and the liver were removed for atomic absorption and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A significant increase in the levels of copper and liver weight of copper-treated rats was observed which, however, got moderated significantly upon purslane treatment. Moreover, based on the FTIR study, we confirmed that purslane administration significantly protected the macromolecular changes including, the lipid, protein, nucleic acid and specially carbohydrate structural damage that occurred in liver. The present study suggested that purslane have promising strategy to protect tissue from oxidative stress.