Hepatoxic effect of mercury chloride in rats and the protective role of the myricetin

Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic substance that takes the first place among heavy metals. It is known that mercury damages many tissues and organs, especially the liver. Myricetin, which is in the flavonol subgroup, one of the subgroups of flavonoids, has strong antioxidant properties. In the present study, 24 male Wistar rats weighing 360-380 gr were randomly divided into four groups as control (1mg/kg distilled water), myricetin (50mg/kg), mercury chloride (1ml/kg), and myricetin+mercury chloride. The substances applied in the experiment were given to the rats by oral gavage once a day for 4 weeks (28 days). At the end of 4th week, body and liver weights of rats, serum albümin, AST, ALT, ALP levels, indicator of liver function, haematological parameters and histopathological changes of liver using light microscope were investigated compared to control group. No significant differences were observed between control and myricetin treated groups. When the mercury chloride applied group was compared with the control group, a decrease in absolute and relative liver weights, in serum albumin levels, an increase in serum ALT, ALT, ALP levels and changes in hematological parameters were observed. In myricetin+mercury chloride treated group, we observed the protective effects of myricetin on examining parameters. At the end of the experiment, various histopathological changes such as necrosis, vascular congestion, enlargement of the sinusoids and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the liver tissues of the rats treated with mercury chloride. Moderate histopathological changes were observed in the liver tissues of rats treated with myricetin+mercury chloride. As a result, it was observed that mercury chloride had a hepatotoxic effect on the liver tissues of rats, and myricetin, a flavonoid, reduced hepatotoxicity caused by mercury chloride.