Hazardous effects of high voltage electromagnetic field on albino rats and protective role of Rosmarinus officinalis.

Environmental science and pollution research international · 2022 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 5671

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental science and pollution research international · 2022

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are common in our everyday lives. They have many origins and severe effects on individuals and environments where they inflict a great deal of health and psychological harm. The current study investigated the impact of high voltage (H.V.) EMF 5.4 kV/m for 2 and 4 h per day with a frequency equal to 50 Hz alternating current (AC) on body weight (b.wt), blood indices, and certain liver enzymes of albino rats after 25 days of exposure to the electromagnetic field. This work focuses on the therapeutic action of methanol extract of Rosmarinus officinalis (R. officinalis) leaves at a dose (5 mg/kg b. wt) against harmful EMF-induced effects. The findings showed that electromagnetic field exposure induced a substantial decrease in red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), and catalase activity (CAT). Although white blood cells (WBCs), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels have increased significantly under EMF treatment. Treatment with R. officinalis showed attenuation in these parameters that were induced in rats exposed to H.V. These findings were followed by the histopathological analysis of the liver in the observations. Finally, we conclude that R. officinalis leaves extract offered substantial protection against H.V-induced liver damage and can be applied in drug production.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionharm

Populationalbino rats

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 2 and 4 h/day for 25 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure to a 50 Hz high-voltage EMF (5.4 kV/m) for 2 or 4 h/day over 25 days was associated with decreased RBC, Hb, and catalase activity, and increased WBC, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, and MDA in albino rats; liver histopathology observations were also reported. Treatment with Rosmarinus officinalis methanol leaf extract (5 mg/kg body weight) attenuated these EMF-associated changes and was concluded to offer protection against HV-induced liver damage.

Outcomes measured

body weight
red blood cells (RBC)
haemoglobin concentration (Hb)
white blood cells (WBC)
catalase activity (CAT)
aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
total bilirubin
urea
creatinine
uric acid
malondialdehyde (MDA)
liver histopathology

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Randomization/blinding not described in abstract
Exposure characterization limited to field strength (kV/m), frequency (50 Hz), and daily duration; other dosimetry details not provided
Outcomes and statistical methods not described in detail in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "high voltage electromagnetic field",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 and 4 h/day for 25 days"
  },
  "population": "albino rats",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "body weight",
    "red blood cells (RBC)",
    "haemoglobin concentration (Hb)",
    "white blood cells (WBC)",
    "catalase activity (CAT)",
    "aspartate aminotransferase (AST)",
    "alanine aminotransferase (ALT)",
    "total bilirubin",
    "urea",
    "creatinine",
    "uric acid",
    "malondialdehyde (MDA)",
    "liver histopathology"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to a 50 Hz high-voltage EMF (5.4 kV/m) for 2 or 4 h/day over 25 days was associated with decreased RBC, Hb, and catalase activity, and increased WBC, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, and MDA in albino rats; liver histopathology observations were also reported. Treatment with Rosmarinus officinalis methanol leaf extract (5 mg/kg body weight) attenuated these EMF-associated changes and was concluded to offer protection against HV-induced liver damage.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Randomization/blinding not described in abstract",
    "Exposure characterization limited to field strength (kV/m), frequency (50 Hz), and daily duration; other dosimetry details not provided",
    "Outcomes and statistical methods not described in detail in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "high voltage",
    "5.4 kV/m",
    "albino rats",
    "liver enzymes",
    "oxidative stress",
    "hematology",
    "Rosmarinus officinalis",
    "rosemary extract",
    "histopathology"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Study involves high-voltage 50 Hz field exposure, relevant to power-frequency/high-voltage environments."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17060-x
PubMed: 34686958

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