Evaluation of Aromatherapeutic Potential of Allium cepa in Carbon Monoxide-induced Respiratory Tissue Toxicity in Wistar Rats

This study evaluated the aromatherapeutic tendency of Allium cepa in carbon monoxide-induced lung parenchyma toxicity. Allium cepa and carbon monoxide served as the main treatments in this study. The time-dependent effect and ratio of pro-oxidant to antioxidant caused by each treatment and combination of both treatments was also determined. Thirty (30) experimental rats were used. The study design included six (6) groups with equal number of animals selected randomly. The test groups included i the control treated normal saline and feed; ii Allium cepa 50 mg/kg; iii carbon monoxide 3300 ppm for 1 hour; iv Allium cepa 50 mg/kg and carbon monoxide 3300 ppm; v Allium cepa 100 mg/kg and carbon monoxide 3300 ppm; vi Allium cepa 200 mg/kg and carbon monoxide 3300ppm. The assays included lung tissue homogenates and lung tissue stress enzyme and non-enzyme markers. Allium cepa alone and at moderate and high doses, effectively prevented carbon monoxide-induced lung tissue toxicity. From the outcome of this study, Allium cepa has the potential to be effective when used as an antitoxic and aromatherapeutic agent.