LAUSR

Aluminum is considered an essential element endowed with toxicity potentials in human and animal. Thus, intoxication with aluminum can lead to oxidative stress, which is associated with oxidative damage to various macromolecules. Moreover, antioxidants from natural sources can play an important role in human health. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Rosa damascena extract against aluminum-induced oxidative stress. In this study, 60 male rats were randomly divided into six groups and then they were given daily aluminum chloride and Rosa damascena extract. After 8 weeks of treatment, the levels of total antioxidant and malondialdehyde, as well as antioxidant enzymes including catalase, glutathione S-transferase, and myeloperoxidase, were measured in all experimental groups in this study. A significant increase was found in the total antioxidant level in the rats treated with aluminum, Rosa damascena extract, and aluminum plus Rosa damascena extract compared with those in the control group. Also, malondialdehyde levels were not significantly different in all the studied groups. Glutathione S-transferase activity levels in rats receiving the Rosa damascena extract as well as rats taking aluminum with Rosa damascena extract increased significantly compared with the ones in the control group. Catalase activity in the aluminum-treated group also increased significantly compared with the rates in the control group (31.34 ± 4.50 U/gHb vs. 14.04 ± 6.17 U/gHb, p = 0.014). Furthermore, myeloperoxidase activity in the aluminum-treated group increased significantly compared with the control group (49.47 ± 5.12 U/L vs. 25.28 ± 2.18 U/L, p < 0.001). The Rosa damascena extract could improve antioxidant capacity and reduce oxidative conditions in rats receiving aluminum chloride as evidenced by assays of the ferric reducing ability of plasma and activity of antioxidant enzymes. According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the Rosa damascena extract with its high antioxidant content is able to exert a protective effect against aluminum-induced oxidative stress.