European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

SUBCHRONIC EXPOSURE TO NACL AND PLANT DERIVED LOW SODIUM SALTS DIFFERENTIALLY AFFECTS OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS IN RATS

Mélila Mamatchi 1*1*, Améyran Koami 1 , Satchi Kouévi 1 , Afangbom Kossi 1 , Awili Têtouwalla 2 , Mensah Labité Komlan 2 , Amouzou Kou’santa 3

ABSTRACT

Excessive dietary sodium intake is widely recognized as a contributor to oxidative stress and metabolic imbalance,
whereas plant derived low sodium salts have emerged as promising alternatives for mitigating these adverse
effects. This st udy assessed the impact of subchronic exposure to NaCl and plant derived low sodium salts on
oxidative stress biomarkers in rats. Thirty six Wistar rats (18 males and 18 females) were randomly allocated into
six groups (three male and three female groups; n = 6 per group) and administered either distilled water (control),
NaCl, or SHOV solutions at doses of 70 or 210 mg/kg body weight. Plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA),
reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) activity, and total antioxidant capacity (FRAP) were determined using
standard analytical methods. The results demonstrated that NaCl administration significantly increased MDA
levels while decreasing GSH, CAT, and FRAP, indicating impaired antioxidant defenses and enhanced oxidative
stress. In c ontrast, plant derived low sodium salts treatment reduced MDA levels and increased antioxidant
biomarkers, with more pronounced effects observed at the 210 mg/kg dose. These beneficial effects are attributed
to the partial replacement of sodium with potass ium, as well as to the presence of other minerals with antioxidant
potential. The sex related differences observed, although moderate, suggest a slightly greater antioxidant response
in females. Overall, plant derived low sodium salts exert a protective ef fect by enhancing both enzymatic and non
enzymatic antioxidant defense systems. These findings support the nutritional and health promoting value of
plant derived low sodium salts as a sustainable alternative to conventional salt for the prevention of oxid ative
imbalances associated with excessive sodium intake.

Keywords: Plant derived low sodium salts; NaCl; Oxidative stress; Antioxidant defenses; Wistar rats.