Potential protective effects of red grape seed extract in a rat model of malathion-induced neurotoxicity

Vet World. 2023 Feb;16(2):380-385. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.380-385. Epub 2023 Feb 26.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Exposure to pesticide mixtures used in agricultural practice poses a grave risk to non-target animals. This study aimed to determine whether red grape seed extract (RGSE, which is 95% bioflavonoids and equal to 12,000 mg of fresh red grape seed, and 150 mg of vitamin C) alleviated the changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level, acetylcholinesterase activity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induced by orally administered malathion in a rat model of malathion-induced neurotoxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups and exposed to malathion with or without 4 weeks of RGSE treatment, treated with RGSE alone, or left untreated as controls. The animals were euthanized 24 h after last treatment. Brain samples were collected to measure acetylcholinesterase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and caspase 3 activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and BDNF levels.

RESULTS: Malathion significantly reduced acetylcholinesterase and SOD activity and TAC and significantly increased caspase 3 activity. In comparison, acetylcholinesterase and SOC activity, BDNF level, and TAC were improved and caspase 3 activity was decreased in the malathion-RGSE group, indicating that RGSE corrected the alterations detected in these biochemical parameters.

CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress and apoptosis in the brains of rats exposed to oral malathion were substantially controlled by RGSE treatment.

PMID:37042003 | PMC:PMC10082724 | DOI:10.14202/vetworld.2023.380-385