ameliorative properties of aqueous extract of myrtus communis leaves against toxic and oxidative effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (elf-emf) and aluminum chloride in male wistar rats

Background: the present study aimed to assess the oxidative and toxic effects of a 50 hz magnetic field (mf) and aluminum chloride (alcl3), as well as the protective effect of myrtus communis extract, on the plasma and hemoglobin of rats.methods: for the purpose of the study, 50 hz and 1 mt alternating mfs were administered to wistar rats. the regime was applied for one month with 2 h each day. the rats were subjected to daily intraperitoneal injections of 8 mg/kg alcl3; moreover, 2 h before the injections, 1.5 mg/kg extract of myrtus communis was administered in the form of gavage. after experiments, blood samples were taken from the rats, and oxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, and hemichrome levels were measured in the samples. in addition, ferric reducing ability of plasma (frap) and malondialdehyde (mda) tests were also performed.results: exposing the rats to separate alternating mf and alcl3 resulted in a marked decrease in frap (p<0.01) and an increase in mda (p<0.01). furthermore, simultaneous exposure of rats to alternating mf and alcl3 enhanced the above oxidative effects synergically (p<0.01). in these effects, the use of the extract of myrtus communis significantly decreased the adverse oxidative effects (p<0.01). conclusion: as evidenced by the results of this study, alternating mf and alcl3 exert an oxidant effect separately; moreover, their simultaneous use brings about a synergic effect and results in adverse biological impacts. furthermore, myrtus communis extract has a protective effect against these oxidant effects.