Quercetin Protected from Aluminum Phosphide-induced Acute and Subacute Cardio- and Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Background: Aluminum phosphide (ALP) intoxication either accidentally or intentionally, is one of the major health concerns in developing countries. Its poisoning causes severe damage to organs including the heart and liver. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the hepato- and cardioprotective effects of quercetin (QCN) on the acute/subacute toxicity of ALP in rodent models. Methods: Acute (single dose, 12.5 mg/kg, orally) and subacute (2 mg/kg, orally and 7 days) intoxication of ALP were induced in rats and the protective effects of QCN on altered hepatic/cardiac functional enzyme concentrations, myeloperoxidase activity, oxidative stress biomarkers, and histopathological changes were studied at three doses of 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg BW. To record any heart abnormality, an electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded 3 h after the last treatment. Results: Quercetin reduced the ALP-increased hepatic and cardiac functional enzyme concentrations and myeloperoxidase activity. Moreover, QCN improved remarkably the ALP-induced ECG abnormalities (T inversion, bigeminy in R waves) and arrhythmias. QCN attenuated significantly (p < 0.05) the ALP-induced oxidative/ nitrosative stress and histopathological injuries in the liver and heart. Conclusion: Our results suggest that QCN is able to protect the ALP-induced cardiac and hepatic injuries in both acute and subacute models and its effects attribute to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.