Dietary supplementation of brown seaweed (Colpomenia sinuosa) attenuates cadmium hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in male rats

Ali, Doaa A.; Essam, Nesreen M.; Alzahofy, Noura N.; Hagras, Ahmed E.; El-Kholy, Wafaa M.; Ibrahim, Wael M.

doi:10.21608/jbaar.2025.435302

Dietary supplementation of brown seaweed (Colpomenia sinuosa) attenuates cadmium hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in male rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Biology Department, College of Science, Taibah University, KSA / Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt

² Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt

³ Biology Department, College of Science, Taibah University, KSA

⁴ Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Damnhour University, Egypt

10.21608/jbaar.2025.435302

Abstract

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic environmental contaminant that induces oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity. Brown seaweeds are rich in bioactive compounds with multiple biological activities. Aim: Estimate the possible protective effects of the brown seaweed Colpomenia sinuosa against Cd sulfate toxicity in rats. Methods: Animals were divided into four groups: a control group, a Colpomenia-treated group, a Cd sulfate-treated group, and a Colpomenia + Cd sulfate-treated group. Cd levels, liver structure and function, oxidative stress markers, and antioxidant enzymes in serum and liver tissue were examined. Results: Animals treated with Cd sulfate exhibited liver damage, as shown by elevated serum liver enzyme activities, along with increased levels of lipid peroxidation markers in the liver. The toxicity of Cd was also reflected in markedly decreased levels of serum total protein and antioxidant enzymes, and reduced glutathione (GSH). The administration of Colpomenia markedly improved the activities of serum and hepatic enzymes. Furthermore, supplementation with Colpomenia significantly lowered the products of lipid peroxidation (MDA and H₂O₂) and restored the mentioned antioxidant defense enzymes. Histopathological examination revealed that Colpomenia mitigated Cd toxicity and preserved nearly normal liver tissue organization. Conclusion: The present findings indicate that the brown algae Colpomenia were efficient and safe in protecting rats against Cd sulfate-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity.

Keywords