Therapeutic potential of quercetin against acrylamide induced toxicity in rats.

Acrylamide (AA) is found in foods containing carbohydrates and proteins, where it is formed during the heating process. It is classified as neurotoxic and probably carcinogenic to humans. The present investigation was aimed to determine the lethal Dose (LD) of AA and to evaluate the protective effects of quercetin (QE) against AA induced adverse effects in rats. For the determination of LD, AA was administered orally at four different doses (46.4mg/kg, 100mg/kg, 215mg/kg and 464mg/kg) to experimental animals for seven days. After 7days LD of AA was determined using graphical method of Miller and Tainter. Then AA was administered at 1/3rd dose of LD (38.27mgkg body weight; p.o. for 10 days) followed by the therapy of QE (5, 10, 20 and 40mg kg orally), for 3 consecutive days for the determination of protective effect of QE against AA. The estimated LD of AA was 114.81mg/kg with 95% confidence interval. Exposure to AA 1/3rd dose of LD for 10days induced neurotoxicity which was confirmed by decreased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. AA substantially increased lipid peroxidation (LPO), decreased the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) in liver, kidney and brain. It also increased the activities of serum transaminases, urea, uric acid, creatinine, lipid profile, bilirubin in serum. Treatment with QE restored tissue and serological indices concomitantly towards normal levels. These results revealed that QE is able to significantly alleviate the toxicity induced by AA in rats.