Quercetin ameliorates the hepatic apoptosis of foetal rats induced by in utero exposure to fenitrothion via the transcriptional regulation of paraoxonase-1 and apoptosis-related genes.

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE: Exposure to organophosphorus during different phases of pregnancy induces many adverse impacts on the developing foetuses due to their immature detoxification system. We have estimated the potential amelioration role of quercetin against hepatic injury-induced apoptosis in rat foetuses following gestational exposure to fenitrothion and probable involvement of paraoxonase-1. METHODS: Forty pregnant rats were allocated into four groups; the first one kept as control, the second intubated with quercetin (100 mg/kg), the third orally administrated fenitrothion (4.62 mg/kg) and the last group received quercetin two hours before fenitrothion intoxication. RESULTS: Fenitrothion significantly elevated the foetal hepatic levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, protein carbonyl, and nitric oxide, but it reduced the enzymatic activities of glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and acetylcholinesterase. Furthermore, fenitrothion provoked many histopathological changes in the foetal liver and markedly up-regulated the mRNA gene expression of p53, caspase-9 along with elevation in the immunoreactivity of Bax and caspase-3, but it down-regulated the expression level of paraoxonase-1. Remarkably, quercetin co-treatment successfully ameliorated the hepatic oxidative injury and apoptosis prompted by fenitrothion. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplements with quercetin can be used to reduce the risk from organophosphorus exposure probably through paraoxonase-1 up-regulation and enhancement of the cellular antioxidant system.

In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Litsea martabanica Root Extract and Its Hepatoprotective Effect on Chlorpyrifos-Induced Toxicity in Rats.

In Thailand, people in the highland communities whose occupational exposure to pesticides used the root of Litsea martabanica as a detoxifying agent. However, the scientific data to support the traditional use of this plant are insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and anti-pesticide potential of L. martabanica root extract. Antioxidant properties were investigated by 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, superoxide radicals scavenging assay, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and total phenolic content determination. In all assays, L. martabanica extracts and their fractions exhibited high antioxidant activities differently. The water extract is traditionally used as a detoxifying agent. Therefore, it was chosen for in vivo experiments. The rats received the extract in a way that mimics the traditional methods of tribal communities followed by chlorpyrifos for 16 days. The results showed that acetylcholinesterase activity decreases in pesticide-exposed rats. Treatment with the extract caused increasing acetylcholinesterase activity in the rats. Therefore, L. martabanica extract may potentially be used as a detoxifying agent, especially for the chlorpyrifos pesticide. The antioxidant properties of L. martabanica may provide a beneficial effect by protecting liver cells from damage caused by free radicals. Histopathology results revealed no liver cell necrosis and showed the regeneration of liver cells in the treatment group. L. martabanica extract did not cause changes in behavior, liver weight, hematological and biochemical profiles of the rats.

Nano-curcumin versus curcumin in amelioration of deltamethrin-induced hippocampal damage.

We aimed to prove that oxidative stress is the main mechanism responsible for hippocampal neurotoxicity induced by deltamethrin (DLM). The protective role of curcumin (CMN) and nano-curcumin (NCMN) over this toxicity was studied. The rats were categorized into four groups: control, DLM, CMN and NCMN. The study continued for 30 days. Hippocampus was processed for histological, biochemical and immunohistochemical studies. Caspase-3, glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured for DLM-induced oxidative stress (increased MDA by 354%/decreased GSH by 61%, SOD by 61%, CAT 57%). Oxidative stress induced apoptosis of hippocampal neurons through increasing Nrf2, gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase heavy subunit (GCS-HS) and light subunit (GCS-LS) and decreasing AChE. It increases the activity of astrocytes through increasing GFAP. Finally, oxidative stress has a bad impaction on cognitive function. Improvement of oxidative stress was observed with use of CMN and NCMN (decrease of MDA/increase of GSH, SOD, CAT). The level of Nrf2, GCS-HS and GCS-LS decreased, while AChE, GFAP increased. Improvement of cognitive function was observed in both groups. In conclusion, oxidative stress is the common mechanism responsible for DLM-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity. It exerts apoptosis of hippocampal neurons through increasing Nrf2, HS-GCS, LS-GCS and decreasing AChE. In addition, it activates astrocytes through increasing expression of GFAP. The protective role of CMN and CMMN is related to their potent antioxidant effect. Much improvement has been detected with NCMN as compared to CMN.

Diphenyl diselenide abrogates chlorpyrifos-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis impairment in rats.

Exposure to pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) has been implicated in reproductive deficits in both humans and animals. Diphenyl diselenide (DPDS) is an organoselenium compound widely reported to elicit potent pharmacological activities in several chemically-induced toxicity and disease models. However, there is paucity of scientific information on the influence of DPDS on CPF-induced reproductive dysfunction. The present study investigated the influence of DPDS on CPF-induced functional changes along the hypothalamic-pituitary- testicular axis in rats. CPF was administered alone at 5 mg/kg body weight or orally co-treated with DPDS at 2.5 and 5 mg/kg body weight for 35 consecutive days. Results showed that DPDS co-treatment significantly (p < 0.05) abrogated CPF-induced oxidative stress by increasing the antioxidant enzymes activities and glutathione content, decreasing the hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation levels in the hypothalamus, testes and epididymis of the treated rats. Moreover, DPDS co-treatment significantly ameliorated CPF-induced histological alterations in the hypothalamus, testes and epididymis of the treated rats. Besides, the significant augmentation of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone levels as well as the testicular activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase by DPDS was accompanied by an increase in sperm quality and quantity in the treated rats. Taken together, DPDS abrogates CPF mediated toxicity along the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in rats via inhibition of lipid peroxidation, enhancement of antioxidant enzymes activities and testicular function. Thus, DPDS may be a possible chemoprotective drug candidate against CPF-induced male reproductive deficits in humans.

Effect of Tunceli garlic on some immunological parameters in Cyprinus carpio exposed to chlorpyrifos.

In this study, the effect of Tunceli garlic (Allium tuncelianium) on hemoglobin (Hb) level, oxidative radical production of neutrophils (Nitoblue tetrazolium assay-NBT activity) and total immunoglobulin (TI) content in carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to chlorpyrifos (CPF)  was investigated. The 96 hour LC50 value of CPF on C. carpio was calculated to as 0.230 mg/L. The fishes were exposed to sublethal concentration of chlorpyrifos (1/8 of LC50 value: 0.029 mg/L), and Tunceli garlic (20 and 40 g/kg diet) was simultaneously administered for 21 days. Blood samples were taken from the fishes at 7, 14 and 21 days and analysed to determine the Hb levels, the NBT activity and the TI content. There was a significant decrease in the Hb level, the NBT activity and the TI content of CPF-treated fish. However, Tunceli garlic reversed the Hb level, the NBT activity and the TI content. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that CPF had a negative effect on the immunological values of the fish. The simultaneous administration of Tunceli garlic was neutralised CPF-induced toxicity.

Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Docking Studies of Novel Bisquaternary Aldoxime Reactivators on Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibited by Paraoxon.

Nerve agents and oxon forms of organophosphorus pesticides act as strong irreversible inhibitors of two cholinesterases in the human body: acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE; EC 3.1.1.8), and are therefore highly toxic compounds. For the recovery of inhibited AChE, antidotes from the group of pyridinium or bispyridinium aldoxime reactivators (pralidoxime, obidoxime, HI-6) are used in combination with anticholinergics and anticonvulsives. Therapeutic efficacy of reactivators (called "oximes") depends on their chemical structure and also the type of organophosphorus inhibitor. Three novel oximes (K131, K142, K153) with an oxime group in position four of the pyridinium ring were designed and then tested for their potency to reactivate human (Homo sapiens sapiens) AChE (HssACHE) and BChE (HssBChE) inhibited by the pesticide paraoxon (diethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate). According to the obtained results, none of the prepared oximes were able to satisfactorily reactivate paraoxon-inhibited cholinesterases. On the contrary, extraordinary activity of obidoxime in the case of paraoxon-inhibited HssAChE reactivation was confirmed. Additional docking studies pointed to possible explanations for these results.

24-epibrassinolide stimulates imidacloprid detoxification by modulating the gene expression of Brassica juncea L.

BACKGROUND: Pesticides cause oxidative stress to plants and their residues persist in plant parts, which are a major concern for the environment as well as human health. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are known to protect plants from abiotic stress conditions including pesticide toxicity. The present study demonstrated the effects of seed-soaking with 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) on physiological responses of 10-day old Brassica juncea seedlings grown under imidacloprid (IMI) toxicity. RESULTS: In the seedlings raised from EBR-treated seeds and grown under IMI toxicity, the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion (O.2-) were decreased, accompanied by enhanced activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and the content of glutathione (GSH). As compared to controls, the gene expressions of SOD, CAT, GR, POD, NADH (NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase), CXE (carboxylesterase), GSH-S (glutathione synthase), GSH-T (glutathione transporter-1), P450 (cytochrome P450 monooxygenase) and GST1-3,5-6 were enhanced in the seedlings raised from EBR-treated seeds and grown in IMI supplemented substratum. However, expression of RBO (respiratory burst oxidase, the gene responsible for H2O2 production) was decreased in seedlings raised from EBR treated seeds and grown under IMI toxicity. Further, the EBR seed treatment decreased IMI residues by more than 38% in B. juncea seedlings. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that EBR seed soaking can efficiently reduce oxidative stress and IMI residues by modulating the gene expression of B. juncea under IMI stress. In conclusion, exogenous EBR application can protect plants from pesticide phytotoxicity.

Synergistic ameliorative effects of sesame oil and alpha-lipoic acid against subacute diazinon toxicity in rats: hematological, biochemical, and antioxidant studies.

Diazinon (DZN) is a common organophosphorus insecticide extensively used for agriculture and veterinary purposes. DZN toxicity is not limited to insects; it also induces harmful effects in mammals and birds. Our experiment evaluated the protective and antioxidant potential of sesame oil (SO) and (or) alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) against DZN toxicity in male Wistar albino rats. DZN-treated animals exhibited macrocytic hypochromic anemia and significant increases in serum biochemical parameters related to liver injury, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transferase (γGT), cholesterol, and triglycerides. They also had elevated levels of markers related to cardiac injury, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and increased biomarkers of renal injury, urea and creatinine. DZN also increased hepatic, renal, and cardiac lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant biomarker levels. SO and (or) ALA supplementation ameliorated the deleterious effects of DZN intoxication. Treatment improved hematology and serum parameters, enhanced endogenous antioxidant status, and reduced lipid peroxidation. Importantly, they exerted synergistic hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and cardioprotective effects. Our findings demonstrate that SO and (or) ALA supplementation can alleviate the toxic effects of DZN via their potent antioxidant and free radical-scavenging activities.

Quercetin mitigates fenitrothion-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

Fenitrothion (FNT) is a widely used organophosphorus pesticide in agriculture. Quercetin (QR), a plant-derived flavonoid, has a free radical scavenging property. This study investigated the protective effect of QR on FNT-induced testicular toxicity in rats. Twenty-four male rats were divided into four groups. Group I (control) received normal saline. Group II was administered QR at the dose of 50 mg kg(-1) b.wt. Group III was orally administered FNT (20 mg kg(-1) b.wt). Group IV was gavaged FNT and QR together at the same doses. All administrations were performed daily by gavage and maintained for 70 days. Sperm parameters and histopathological changes in testes were investigated. Serum testosterone and luteinising hormone were estimated using radioimmunoassay kits. In testes, expressions of steroidogenic genes (3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 6, 17 ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 and steroidogenic factor-1) and oxidative stress genes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) were determined using real-time PCR. FNT administration caused significant decreases in sperm count, motility and hormonal levels, a significant increase in abnormal sperm morphology and a significant down-regulation of steroidogenic and antioxidant genes in the testis. However, QR administration ameliorated FNT-induced toxic effects. Our results concluded that QR effectively mitigated testicular damage induced by FNT in rats.

Construction of a Single Chain Variable Fragment Antibody (scFv) against Carbaryl and Its Interaction with Carbaryl.

Carbaryl is a low molecular weight insecticide that inhibits cholinesterase. Residues of carbaryl in food and the environment have damaged human health. A high-specificity scFv that can identify carbaryl is still lacking. In the present study, an anti-carbaryl scFv gene was prepared by cloning VL and VH genes from hybridoma cells secreting monoclonal antibody, then VH and VL were fused together using splicing by overlap extension (SOE) PCR with a flexible polypeptide linker connector (Gly4Ser)3, and then the scFv-pET-26b recombinant plasmid was constructed and transformed into E. coli BL21 for expression using IPTG as an inducer. The expressed recombinant protein was identified by SDS-PAGE and ELISA. The three-dimensional structure of the anti-carbaryl scFv was constructed by computer modeling, and carbaryl was docked to the scFv model to obtain the structure of the binding complex. The binding site was composed of Ala51, Ser52, Ile51, Gly54, Ser56, Arg98, and Gly100. This helps to understand the mechanism of interaction between anti-carbaryl antibody and antigen. Furthermore, it provides guidance for in vitro affinity maturation of anti-carbaryl antibody.

Oxidative Stress, Cytotoxicity, and Genotoxicity Induced by Methyl Parathion in Human Gingival Fibroblasts: Protective Role of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate.

Organophosphorous (OP) compounds are pesticides frequently released into the environment because of extensive use in agriculture. Among these, methyl parathion (mPT) recently received attention as a consequence of illegal use. The predominant route of human exposure to mPT is via inhalation, but inadvertent consumption of contaminated foods and water may also occur. The goal of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of mPT on cells in the oral cavity and evaluate the potential protective role of epigallocathechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on these effects. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) were exposed to 10, 50, or 100 µ g/ml mPT for 24 h and assessed for oxidative stress, as evidenced by reactive generation of oxygen species (ROS), induction of apoptotic cell death, DNA damage (comet assay and cytochinesis-block micronucleus test), and nitric oxide (NO) production. The results showed that mPT produced significant oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity and increased NO levels through stimulation of inducible NO synthase expression. Finally, data demonstrated that EGCG (10, 25, or 50 µ M) was able to inhibit the pesticide-induced effects on all parameters studied. Data indicate that cytotoxic and genotoxic effects may be associated with oxidative stress induced by mPT observed in HGF cultures and that EGCG plays a protective role via antioxidant activities.

The chemoprotective effects of L-carnitine against genotoxicity induced by diazinon in rat blood lymphocyte.

The purpose of this study was to assess the preventive effects of L-carnitine (LC) against DNA damage induced by diazinon (DZN) in rat blood lymphocytes. Animals were concurrently administered intraperitoneally with DZN in proper solvent (20 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) and LC at three different doses (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg b.w.) for 30 consecutive days. The positive control group received DZN at the same dose without LC. Twenty-four hour after last injection, 0.5 ml blood of each rat was received and cultured in culture medium for 44 h. The lymphocyte cultures were mitogenically stimulated with cytochalasin B for the evaluation of the number of micronuclei (MNs) in cytokinesis-blocked binucleated cells. Incubation of lymphocytes with DZN induced additional genotoxicity and was shown by increase in MNs frequency in rat lymphocytes. LC at all doses had a protective effect and significantly reduced the MNs frequency in cultured lymphocytes (p < 0.0001-p < 0.05). The maximum effect was observed at 150 mg/kg that reduced the frequency of MN from 12.78 ± 0.24% for DZN group to 5.61 ± 0.17%. Our study revealed that LC has a potent antigenotoxic effect against DZN-induced toxicity in rats, which may be due to the scavenging of free radicals and increased antioxidant status. Since LC is a natural compound and is being safe, it is recommended as a daily supplement for body defense against side effects induced by chemical hazardous agents.

Outcomes of elderly patients with organophosphate intoxication.

This study analysed the clinical patterns and outcomes of elderly patients with organophosphate intoxication. A total of 71 elderly patients with organophosphate poisoning were seen between 2008 and 2017. Patients were stratified into two subgroups: survivors (n = 57) or nonsurvivors (n = 14). Chlorpyrifos accounted for 33.8% of the cases, followed by methamidophos (12.7%) and mevinphos (11.3%). Mood, adjustment and psychotic disorder were noted in 39.4%, 33.8% and 2.8% of patients, respectively. All patients were treated with atropine and pralidoxime therapies. Acute cholinergic crisis developed in all cases (100.0%). The complications included respiratory failure (52.1%), aspiration pneumonia (50.7%), acute kidney injury (43.7%), severe consciousness disturbance (25.4%), shock (14.1%) and seizures (4.2%). Some patients also developed intermediate syndrome (15.5%) and delayed neuropathy (4.2%). The nonsurvivors suffered higher rates of hypotension (P < 0.001), shock (P < 0.001) and kidney injury (P = 0.001) than survivors did. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with shock suffered lower cumulative survival than did patients without shock (log-rank test, P < 0.001). In a multivariate-Cox-regression model, shock was a significant predictor of mortality after intoxication (odds ratio 18.182, 95% confidence interval 2.045-166.667, P = 0.009). The mortality rate was 19.7%. Acute cholinergic crisis, intermediate syndrome, and delayed neuropathy developed in 100.0%, 15.5%, and 4.2% of patients, respectively.

Protective effects of garlic extract and vitamin C against in vivo cypermethrin-induced cytogenetic damage in rat bone-marrow.

The cytogenetic damage inflicted by the synthetic pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin (CYP) on the bone-marrow of male white rats, as well as possible protective role of two natural elements: garlic extract (GRE, 500mg/kg) and vitamin C (VTC, 20mg/kg) against the mutagenic potential of the insecticide were assessed. CYP was orally intubated in a single treatment (1/2 LD(50)) or in repeated treatments (1/5 LD(50) daily, for 5 successive days), either alone, or concomitantly with repeated oral intubations (5 successive days) of each individual putative protector, or with their combination (GRE or/and VTC). One hundred and twenty male rats were divided over into five groups of each 24 animals. The groups received nothing, a single dose or repeated treatments with insecticide alone, or associated with putative natural elements, separately or in combinations. Animals were sacrificed at their scheduled times and their femoral bone-marrows were flushed out to be utilized in the micronucleus test and metaphase chromosomal aberration assay. The results show that CYP administration significantly induced clastogenic effects, as revealed by the significant increase in the mean frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and various structural chromosomal aberrations in bone-marrow metaphase cells of all groups of treated rats. On the other hand, this investigation clearly revealed the protective role of GRE and VTC, either each alone or in combination, against the mutagenic potential of cypermethrin: the garlic extract was often more efficient in its protective action against the insecticide toxicity than vitamin C. while the combination of both natural elements produced, in most cases, a more pronounced protective effect than when each was administered alone.

Synergistic and antagonistic effects of piperonyl butoxide in fipronil-susceptible and resistant rice stem borrers, Chilo suppressalis.

Using the phenylpyrazole insecticide, fipronil for selection in the laboratory, a resistant Wenzhou strain of the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) had an LD(50) at least 45.3 times greater than the susceptible Anhui strain. The realized resistant heritability (h(2)) of 0.213 showed that the tolerant phenotype was moderately heritable and had potential to develop higher tolerance to fipronil. Piperonyl butoxide decreased the effects of fipronil on the mortality of the susceptible larvae with 0.27-0.44 times synergistic rates, but increased the toxicity of fipronil on the resistant larvae with 1.85-2.53 times synergistic rates as compared to that of fipronil alone. The inhibitory effect of piperonyl butoxide on the activity of microsomal O-demethylase was greater in susceptible larvae than in the resistant larvae. The differential synergism of fipronil by piperonyl butoxide in the susceptible and resistant C. suppressalis may be caused by the reduced penetration of fipronil in the lab-selected Wenzhou strain.

Prevention of malathion-induced depletion of cardiac cells mitochondrial energy and free radical damage by a magnetic magnesium-carrying nanoparticle.

The present work was designed to examine the effect of a new (25)Mg(2+)-carrying nanoparticle (PMC16) on energy and oxidative stress parameters inside the heart of the rats exposed to acute mild toxic dose of malathion, a widely used organophosphate. Post a single intraperitoneal (ip) injection of malathion (0.25 of LD50), PMC16 at different doses (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 of LD50) was administered intravenously (iv) as a supplement to standard therapy of atropine and pralidoxime. MgSO(4) was used as another supplement for comparison with PMC16. Oxidative stress biomarkers including lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), ATP/ADP ratio, and Mg in the cardiac cells were determined. Results indicated a significant increase in LPO, ROS, ADP/ATP ratio, and a decrease in Mg post-malathion poisoning in comparison to controls. All of these parameters were improved by use of standard therapy either with MgSO4 or various doses of PMC16. The activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx did not change significantly in the present acute malathion poisoning model and neither MgSO(4) or PMC16 had no considerable improvement on these parameters. Comparing groups that received normal Mg and those of various doses of PMC16, a significant difference was found with the PMC16 (0.2 LD50) group. PMC16 0.2 reduced cardiac cells LPO and ROS of Mal-exposed animals rather than that of MgSO4. PMC16 0.2 was also significantly better than MgSO(4) in improving MAL-induced changes in ADP/ATP ratio and also intracellular Mg levels. This study illustrates that malathion-induced cardiac cells toxicity is improved by administration of Mg as a result of increasing cardiac ATP through active transport of Mg inside the cells. Finally, the results of this study support positive effects of this magnetic Mg nanoparticle carrier but do not confirm its absolute efficacy that remains to be explored by further tests in different animal models and organs before moving to a phase I human trial.

Protective role of curcumin on lindane induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats.

The aim of this study was to explore the adverse effects of lindane pesticide on testes and epididymus weight, sperm head counts, sperm motility, abnormal changes in sperm morphology, biochemical changes in endogenous antioxidants and oxidative enzymes in male wistar rats as well as to assess ameliorating role of 'curcumin'. Rats were exposed daily to lindane (30 mg/kg bw) for 14 and 28 days and administered with curcumin (100 mg/kg bw) in pretreatment, post treatment and combination groups. We observed decrease (p < 0.001) in testes and cauda epididymus weight, decrease (p < 0.001) in testicular sperm head count, increase (p < 0.001) in abnormal tail morphology (headless tail, multiple tail, broken tail, coiled tail and bent tail), abnormal head morphology (excessive hook, amorphous head, pin head, short head, blunt hook and detached hook) and decrease (p < 0.001) in sperm motility after lindane exposure, as compared to control. There was (p < 0.01) decline in superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-s-transferase activity on lindane exposure, however, no change (p > 0.05) was observed in glutathione level. Lipid peroxidation was (p < 0.01) enhanced on lindane exposure as compared to control. Curcumin administration was able to ameliorate lindane induced reproductive toxicity in pretreatment, post treatment and combination groups. The study indicated that even after 14 days of metabolism, toxic effects of lindane were evident.

Oxidative stress-mediated genotoxicity of malathion in human lymphocytes.

Applying the single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay, we show that the widely used organophosphorus pesticide malathion is cytotoxic, genotoxic, and induces oxidative stress in human lymphocytes.

Opuntia ficus indica extract protects against chlorpyrifos-induced damage on mice liver.

This original study investigates the role of Opuntia ficus indica (cactus) cladodes extract against liver damage induced in male SWISS mice by an organophosphorous insecticide, the chlorpyrifos (CPF). Liver damage was evaluated by the measure of its weight and the quantification of some biochemical parameters, such as alanine amino transferase (ALAT), aspartate amino transferase (ASAT), phosphatase alkaline (PAL), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cholesterol and albumin in serum by spectrophotometric techniques. The experimental approach lasted 48 h and consisted of 6 treatments of six mice each one; (1) control, (2) 10 mg/kg (b.w) CPF, (3) 10mg/kg (b.w) CPF with 100 mg/kg (b.w) cactus, (4) 150 mg/kg (b.w)CPF, (5) 150 mg/kg (b.w) CPF with 1.5 g/kg cactus, (6) 1.5 g/kg cactus. Both chlorpyrifos and cactus were administrated orally via gavages. Our results showed that CPF affects significantly all parameters studied. However, when this pesticide was administrated associated to cactus, we noticed a recovery of all their levels. In the other hand, cactus alone did not affect the studied parameters. These results allow us to conclude firstly that CPF is hepatotoxic and secondly that Opuntia ficus indica stem extract protects the liver and decreases the toxicity induced by this organophosphorous pesticide.

Protective effects of dietary ginger (Zingiber officinales Rosc.) on lindane-induced oxidative stress in rats.

The protective effect of dietary feeding of Zingiber officinales Rosc. (ginger) against lindane-induced oxidative stress was investigated in male albino rats. Oxidative stress was monitored by estimating the extent of lipid peroxidation, activities of the oxygen free radical (OFR) scavenging enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and the status of the glutathione redox cycle antioxidants. Lindane administration (30 mg/kg bw orally for 4 weeks) was associated with enhanced lipid peroxidation and compromised antioxidant defenses in rats fed a normal diet. Concomitant dietary feeding of ginger (1%w/w) significantly attenuated lindane-induced lipid peroxidation, accompanied by modulation of OFR scavenging enzymes as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) and the GSH dependent enzymes glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in these rats. These findings suggest that a diet containing naturally occurring compounds is effective in exerting protective effects by modulating oxidative stress.