Nutraceutical potential of Rosmarinic acid on formaldehyde-induced lung toxicity in Wistar rat: A dose response study

Aim: To evaluate the anti-oxidative potential of Rosmarinic acid, one of the most abundant active components of basil leaves, against formaldehyde induced lung toxicity in male Wistar rats. Methodology: Experimental animals (150±3.3 g) were divided into nine groups (n=6 animals/groups). Animals of first group served as control (G0), second group were formaldehyde treated (Gf), third group animals were pre-treated with different doses of rosmarinic acid ranging 50 to 200 mg kg-1 b.wt. at increment of 25 mg kg-1 b.wt. Rosmarinic acid was administered oral for 21 days and pre-treated groups were then exposed to formaldehyde for 21 days. Results: Increasing doses of rosmarinic acid pre-treatment up to 125 mg kg-1 b.wt. had a significant influence on the antioxidative enzymes, hematological parameters, serum biochemistry and lung index. To establish best dose with high efficacy, superoxide dismutase (SOD) data was subjected to quadratic-broken-line regression analyses which exhibited best dose of 128.75 mg kg-1 b.wt rosmarinic acid to reverse lung toxicity. Interpretation: These findings indicate that rosmarinic acid has the potential to inhibit formaldehyde-induced lung injury through inhibition of oxidative stress and hypersensitivity. Key words: Formaldehyde, Lung toxicity, Nutraceutical, Rosmarinic acid, Serum biochemistry