Phytosorbent Prepared from Sunflower Seed Husks Prevents Mercuric Chloride Accumulation in Kidney and Muscle of Adult Rabbits

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of a melanin-containing phytosorbent, “Victoria,” on mercury accumulation in rabbits' tissues was studied. This phytosorbent is derived from black sunflower seed husks. Domestic rabbits were administered either one single nontoxic low-level dose of mercuric chloride (i.e., 50 μmlg/1 kg body weight [control group]) or combinations of mercury and the phytosorbent “Victoria” (i.e., experimental group). Mercury and phytosorbent were administered per os daily for 12 d. Mercury in tissues was determined by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. Mercury in kidney and muscle of the experiment group was, on average, 25.8 and 4.7 times less, respectively, than in the control group. The authors concluded that the phytosorbent prevented accumulation of mercury in the kidney and muscle tissues and exerted a protective effect against mercury toxicity.