Introduction: Mercury chloride is commonly used in our daily lives due to its diverse applications and induces hepatorenal toxicity with even low doses. The present investigation studies the preventive effects of lipoic acid and Cleome droserifolia extract against mercury-induced hepatorenal toxicity.
Methods: Thirty male albino rats were divided into six groups. The first was normal control. The second received 10 mg/kg of  Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA group). The third received 10 mg/kg of Cleome droserifolia extract (CD  group). The fourth received 35 mg/kg (21% of LD₅₀) of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂ group). The fifth received 10 mg/kg of alpha lipoic acid and 35 mg/kg of mercuric chloride (ALA + HgCl₂). The sixth received 10 mg/kg of Cleome droserifolia extract and 35 mg/kg of mercuric chloride (CD+HgCl₂ group). All doses were administered orally daily for 8 weeks.
Results: Mercury induced a slight decline in body weights and relative organ weights for the liver and kidney compared with normal. It causes significant elevations (p<0.05) in hemoglobin concentration and white blood cell (WBC) count; however, bone marrow cell count was not affected. Mercury triggered considerable disruption in liver and kidney functions. Mercury promoted a considerable decline in catalase (CAT) activity and a significant elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA). Mercury-induced degeneration, fibrosis, and necrosis in the liver and kidney tissues.  Administration of alpha lipoic acid and Cleome droserifolia extract showed marked improvement in the different parameters under investigation.
 Conclusion: Lipoic acid was found to be more effective against mercury chloride-induced hepatorenal toxicity than Cleome droserifolia extract.