Protective Effect of Quercetin on Sulphur Mustard Induced Oxidative Stress in Mice

Sulphur mustard (SM, 2, 2' dichloro diethyl sulphide) is a potent chemical warfare agent for which there is still no effective antidote. SM is known to cause oxidative stress. Therefore, in the present investigation, we studied the protective effect of quercetin, a bioflavonoid following SM toxicity. 2.0 and 4.0 LD50 of SM (1 LD 50 = 9.67 mg/kg; 14 days observation for mortality) was administered to Swiss albino female mice through percutaneous route. SM exposed mice were treated with quercetin (100 and 200 mg/kg) three times by intraperitoneal injection, one immediately following SM exposure, then once each day for 2 days after SM treatment. The effect of quercetin on survival, body weight, markers of oxidative damage (in blood, liver and kidney), WBC counts and purine metabolite were investigated 7 day post exposure. Survival time increased significantly following quercetin treatment. The decrease in body weight due to SM was prevented to a significant extent by quercetin. Significant decrease in reduced glutathione and increase in the level of malondialdehyde indicated oxidative damage to hepatic and renal tissues. Quercetin protected hepatic and renal tissues from oxidative damage caused by SM. Alterations in WBC counts and end product of purine metabolite were also prevented by quercetin. This study shows that quercetin enhanced the survival time, restored the decrease in body weight and protected hepatic and renal tissues from oxidative damage.