e n v i r o n m e n t a l t o x i c o l o g y a n d p h a r m a c o l o g y 3 3 ( 2 0 1 2 ) 440–445 Available online at www.sciencedirect.com jo ur nal homep age: www.elsevier.com/locate/etap Protective effect of Hypericum perforatum L. on serum and hair trace elements in rats 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced oxidative stress Suat Ekin a,* , Gokhan Oto b , Yavuz Yardim c , Abdulkadir levent d , Fevzi Ozgokce e , Tuba Kusman f a Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Division of Biochemistry, Van, Turkey b Yuzuncu Yil University, Medical Faculty, Department of Pharmacology, Van, Turkey c Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Van, Turkey d Batman University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Van, Turkey e Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Van, Turkey f Yuzuncu Yil University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Van, Turkey a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 22 June 2011 Received in revised form 25 January 2012 Accepted 31 January 2012 Available online 8 February 2012 Keywords: Trace element DMBA Hypericum perforatum Serum Hair a b s t r a c t The study was designed to assess the effect of Hypericum perforatum L. (H.P) on serum and hair trace elements and mineral levels, oral administration of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced oxidative stress in Sprague-Dawley female rats. Analysis of the trace ele- ment has been carried out using atomic absorption spectrophotometer method at end of 60th day. It has been found out that the DMBA group contained statistically lower Zn and Cr compared to the control group (p < 0.01) and (p < 0.05), Cu, Mg and Na contained higher than control group (p < 0.05), (p < 0.05) and (p < 0.05). In DMBA + H.P group, Zn higher and Na lower than DMBA group (p < 0.05), (p < 0.05), in hair samples Cd, K and Zn contained lower DMBA compared to the control group (p < 0.05), (p < 0.05) and (p < 0.05). In group DMBA + H.P, Cd was higher than DMBA group and Cr lowered accordance with control group (p < 0.05). The present study demonstrated significantly positive and beneficial effect of H.P on the concentration levels of Zn and Na in serum, also on Cd levels in hair between DMBA and DMBA + H.P groups. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants found in cigarette smoke con- densate, extracts of emissions and indoor air particles, smoky coal combustion, cooking oil fumes, chimney soot, and other Abbreviations: DMBA, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene; H.P, Hypericum perforatum L.; Cu, copper; Zn, zinc; Fe, iron; Cr, chromium; Mn, manganese; Ni, nickel; Pb, lead; Cd, cadmium; Ca, calcium; K, potassium; Mg, magnesium; Na, sodium; PAH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. ∗ Corresponding author. E-mail address: suatekin@hotmail.com (S. Ekin). sources (Kleiner et al., 2004). The compound DMBA, a syn- thetic methylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is a potent carcinogen and immunosuppressive agent (Archuleta et al., 1993). Toxic manifestations of DMBA are associated with its oxidative metabolism that leads to the formation of reac- tive metabolites (epoxides and quinines) that can generate 1382-6689/$ – see front matter © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.etap.2012.01.010