Exposure to
cadmium chloride (CdCl2) causes an imbalance in the
oxidant status of the body by triggering the release of
reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study investigated the effect of Rosa damascena (R. damascena) extract on oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity, and the injured cardiac tissue of male rats exposed to
CdCl2. Forty male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: the vehicle control (1 mg/kg
normal saline), the CdCl2-treated group (5 mg/kg), the R. damascena extract group (100 mg Kg), and the combination of
CdCl2 and R. damascena extract group. Male rats exposed to
CdCl2 showed multiple significant histopathological changes in the liver and heart, including inflammatory cell infiltration and degenerative alterations. Successive exposure to
CdCl2 elevated the levels of hepatic and cardiac
reactive oxygen species (ROS),
malondialdehyde (MDA), tumour
necrosis factor-alpha) (TNF-α) and
interleukin -6 (IL-6) and decreased
antioxidant defences. The extracts significantly increased the levels of
glutathione,
superoxide dismutase (SOD), and
catalase (CAT), whereas it dramatically decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO),
alanine aminotransferase (ALT),
aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and the
mRNA of TNF-α and IL-6. R. damascena administration prevented liver and
heart injury; suppressed excessive ROS generation, LPO, and inflammatory responses; and enhanced
antioxidant defences. In addition, R. damascena upregulated the
mRNA of TNF-α and IL-6 in
CdCl2-administered male rats. In conclusion, R. damascena modulated the oxidative stress and
inflammation induced by
CdCl2. The hepatic and cardiac tissue damage and histopathological alterations resulting from the
CdCl2-induced oxidative stress were counteracted by the administration of R. damascena extracts. R. damascena enhanced
antioxidant defence
enzymes in male rats.