Chlorpyrifos-induced oxidative stress and tissue damage in the liver, kidney, brain and fetus in pregnant rats: the protective role of the butanolic extract of **Paronychia argentea** L.
Objective : Toxicity of pesticides is thought to be due to reactive
oxygen species (ROS). Due to their antioxidant property, polyphenols in
plant extracts may afford protection from pesticide toxicity. In the
present study, we evaluated the protective effect of a butanolic
extract of Paronychia argentea L. against toxicity caused by the
organophosphorus pesticide, chloropyriphos ethyl (CE). Materials and
Methods: Pregnant albino Wistar rats were used. Pesticide and plant
extract were administered daily by oral gavage from the 6 th to the 15
th day of gestation. Plasma and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), blood
reduced glutathione (GSH) and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD)
activities were estimated. MDA levels were estimated in plasma and
different organs (liver, kidney, brain, placenta and in the fetuses and
their livers) as an indicator of lipid peroxydation (LPO). Results:
The data showed a significant increase in plasma and tissue LPO levels
in animals treated with the pesticide while the effect was attenuated
by the plant extract (CE-ex). Also, CE caused a significant decrease in
antioxidant enzyme activity and this effect was partially reversed in
groups treated with the plant extract. The pesticide induced
embryotoxicity and resulted in resorption, fetal death and a reduced
implant number. Conclusion : It can be concluded that CE can lead to
an increase in LPO production in adult and fetal tissues, while
treatment with the plant extract leads to protection against CE
toxicity. The decrease in LPO levels and the increase in GSH and SOD
enzyme activities after treatment with the plant extract revealed its
antioxidant property