Benahmed et al Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics. 2020; 10(4-s):17-24 ISSN: 2250-1177 [17] CODEN (USA): JDDTAO Available online on 15.08.2020 at http://jddtonline.info Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics Open Access to Pharmaceutical and Medical Research © 2011-18, publisher and licensee JDDT, This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, provided the original work is properly cited Open Access Research Article Toxicity of mercury on the brain: ability of extract of Pistacia atlantica regulated effect Benahmed Fatiha* 1, 2 , Belhouari Hayet Fatima Zohra 2 , Bounoura Radjaa 1 , Mehrab Elazhari 2 , Kharoubi Omar 1 1 Laboratory of Experimental Biotoxicology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Life and Natural Sciences, University of Oran1, Ahmed Ben Bella, 1524 EL M Naouer 31000 Oran, Algeria 2 Department of Biology, University Echahid Ahmed Zabana, Relizane 48000, Algeria ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of 150 mg / kg extract of the plant Pistacia atlantica against mercury-induced oxidative stress Methods: Hg was administered intraperitoneally (2,5 mg/kg body weight, one time a week), and P. atlantica and were given orally by gavage at a daily dose (150 mg/kg body weight) to rats for 32 days. 24 male adult Albinos Wistar rats were divided into four groups: group 1 Control, group 2 (HgCl2) group 3 (Hg + P. atlantica) and group 4 (P. atlantica). Paramatrical tests of oxidative stress and histological sections of the cerebral parenchyma. Results: Our results showed that the intraperitoneal injection of mercury chloride HgCl 2 causes deleterious effects in the brain resulting in: a failure of redox status by disrupting the antioxidant defense system by a significant decrease in the activity of catalase glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-s-transferase and superoxide dismutase acetylcholinesterase and increase of the activity of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase. The levels of lipid peroxidation markers were high in TBARS intoxicated rats with protein oxidation increased in the brain intoxicated by. The continuous use of mercury is also at the origin, in brain tissue However, supplementation of P. atlantica extract with mercury-treated rats attenuated some of the harmful and toxic effects of this metal. This clearly demonstrates the protective roles of this plant Keywords: mercury, Pistacia atlantica, Wistar rat, brain, antioxidant, neurotoxicity. Article Info: Received 09 June 2020; Review Completed 11 July 2020; Accepted 17 July 2020; Available online 15 August 2020 Cite this article as: Benahmed F, Belhouari HFZ, Bounoura R, Mehrab E , Kharoubi O, Toxicity of mercury on the brain: ability of extract of Pistacia atlantica regulated effect, Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics. 2020; 10(4-s):17-24 http://dx.doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v10i4-s.4269 *Address for Correspondence: Benahmed Fatiha, Laboratory of Experimental Biotoxicology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Life and Natural Sciences, University of Oran1, Ahmed Ben Bella, 1524 EL M Naouer 31000 Oran, Algeria 1. INTRODUCTION Mercury is a highly toxic, redox-active element which represents one of the main agents responsible for environmental pollution 1 . Mercury was recorded as the third most dangerous heavy metal after arsenic and lead, according to the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry Agency (ATSDR) 2 . It can be found in three different chemical forms; elemental mercury (Hg0), organic mercury (mainly methylmercury), and inorganic mercury (mainly mercuric chloride) 2 . The mercurial exposure is a reality faced by several people around the world 3 , due the routes of exposure to the metal be associated with the used in pharmaceuticals products 4 , use of cosmetics 5 , Mercury is used in various chemical industries. In chlorine production plants, it is widely used for the synthesis of chlorinated compounds and also used in the production of sodium hydroxide. Mercury has various applications including to control weeds, fungi, bacteria and insects 6 . Mercury adversely affects the cellular, pulmonary, haematological, cardiovascular, immunological, neurological and endocrine systems 7 . The central nervous system, kidney, liver and gastrointestinal system are the main target sites of mercury toxicity 8 . In addition, symptoms such as headache, impaired coordination, tremor, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, dermatitis, proteinuria, polyneuropathy and hepatic dysfunction occur as a result of mercury toxicity 2 . The toxicity of mercury can be stopped by using an antioxidant defense mechanism including reducing or eliminating active oxygen species, free radicals, and heavy metals 9 .