Protective effect of coenzyme Q10 nanoparticles against monocrotophos induced oxidative stress in kidney tissues of rats

Role of nutraceutical against exposure to pesticide residues: power of bioactive compounds

Pesticides play a crucial role in modern agriculture, aiding in the protection of crops from pests and diseases. However, their indiscriminate use has raised concerns about their potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. Pesticide residues in food and water supplies are a serious health hazards to the general public since long-term exposure can cause cancer, endocrine disruption, and neurotoxicity, among other health problems. In response to these concerns, researchers and health professionals have been exploring alternative approaches to mitigate the toxic effects of pesticide residues. Bioactive substances called nutraceuticals that come from whole foods including fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices have drawn interest because of their ability to mitigate the negative effects of pesticide residues. These substances, which include minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and polyphenols, have a variety of biological actions that may assist in the body's detoxification and healing of harm from pesticide exposure. In this context, this review aims to explore the potential of nutraceutical interventions as a promising strategy to mitigate the toxic effects of pesticide residues.

Neuroprotective potential of berberine against acetamiprid induced toxicity in rats: Implication of oxidative stress, mitochondrial alterations, and structural changes in brain regions

Acetamiprid (ACMP) is an extensively used neonicotinoid pesticide to control sucking and chewing insects and is known to cause nontarget toxicity. The present study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative potential of berberine (BBR)-a polyphenolic alkaloid- on ACMP-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunctioning, and structural changes in different rat brain regions. The male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, that is, control, BBR-treated (150 mg/kg b.wt), ACMP-exposed (21.7 mg/kg b.wt) and BBR + ACMP co-treated; and were dosed intragastrically for 21 consecutive days. Results of the biochemical analysis showed that BBR significantly ameliorated ACMP-induced oxidative stress by decreasing lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation along with a marked increase in endogenous antioxidants and lowered AChE activity in rat brain regions. Inside mitochondria, BBR significantly attenuated the toxic effects of ACMP by increasing the activity of mitochondrial complexes. Findings of polymerase chain reaction also demonstrated the modulatory effects of BBR against ACMP-mediated downregulation of ND1, ND2, COX1, and COX4 subunits of mitochondrial complexes. The histopathological and ultrastructural examination also validated the biochemical and transcriptional alterations following toxicity of ACMP exposure and the protective potential of BBR against ACMP-induced neurotoxicity. Thus, the present study indicates the promising ameliorative potential of BBR against ACMP-induced neurotoxicity via its antioxidative and modulatory activities.

Smartphone-assisted detection of monocrotophos pesticide using a portable nano-enabled chromagrid-lightbox system towards point-of-care application

With the aim of monocrotophos pesticides detection in environmental and food samples at point-of-care (PoC) application, this research, for the first time, explores silica alcogel as an immobilization matrix to support the development of in-house customized nano-enabled "chromagrid-lighbox" as a sensing system. This system is fabricated using laboratory waste materials and demonstrates the detection of highly hazardous monocrotophos pesticide using a smartphone. Nano-enabled chromagrid is a chip-like assembly filled with silica alcogel -a nanomaterial (hence the name "nano-enabled" chromagrid), and "chromogenic reagents" which is required for the enzymatic detection of monocrotophos. Lightbox is the imaging station fabricated to provide constant lighting conditions to the chromagrid to capture accurate colorimetric data. The silica alcogel used in this system was synthesized from Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) via a sol-gel method and characterized using advanced analytical techniques. Further, three chromagrid assays were developed for the optical detection of monocrotophos with a low detection limit (LOD) at 0.421 ng ml^-1 (by α-NAc chromagrid assay), 0.493 ng ml^-1 (by DTNB chromagrid assay) and 0.811 ng ml^-1 (by IDA chromagrid assay). The developed novel PoC chromagrid-lightbox system is capable of on-site detection of monocrotophos in environmental as well as food samples. This system is able to be manufacture prudently using recyclable waste plastic. Overall, such developed eco-friendly PoC testing system will surely manage rapid detection of monocrotophos pesticide needed for environmental and sustainable agricultural management.

N-Acetylcysteine Mediated Regulation of MnSOD, UCP-2 and Cytochrome C Associated with Amelioration of Monocrotophos-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Pesticides are now a risk to the environment and public health. Monocrotophos (MCP) is known to cause organ toxicity and impart degenerative effects at cellular levels. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a natural antioxidant having various prophylactic properties. Male Wistar rats were given NAC (200 mg/kg b.wt), MCP (0.9 mg/kg b.wt) and NAC followed by MCP; intragastrically for 28 consecutive days. Regulation of MnSOD, UCP-2 and cytochrome c was analyzed by western blotting and polymerase chain reaction. Histology, electron microscopy and weight parameters were evaluated in the liver. MCP exposure significantly decreased body weight gain, relative liver weight, and structural changes. Altered MnSOD protein expression, decreased transcription of UCP-2 and MnSOD, and released cytochrome c indicated that oxidative stress is involved in MCP exposure. Treatment of NAC to MCP-exposed rats normalized the weight and structural changes, restored MnSOD and UCP-2 levels and prevented the release of cytochrome c. The present study suggests that the regulation of UCP-2, MnSOD and cytochrome c is involved in NAC efficacy against MCP toxicity. These findings illustrate that NAC can serve as a potential therapeutic agent for toxicity and oxidative stress in mammals. 

Neuroprotective Effect of N-acetylcysteine Against Monocrotophos-Induced Oxidative Stress in Different Brain Regions of Rats

Monocrotophos (MCP) is systemic organophosphate insecticide used against crop pests. It is reported to cause mammalian toxicity through both acute and chronic exposure. In the present study, we have shown the protective role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against MCP-induced oxidative stress in frontal cortex, corpus striatum and hippocampus brain regions of rats. Male Albino Wistar rats were divided into control, NAC-treated, MCP and NAC + MCP-treated groups. An oral dose of MCP (0.9 mg/kg b.wt) and NAC (200 mg/kg b.wt) was administered for 28 days. Results showed an increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein oxidation followed by decreased antioxidant enzymes after 28 days of MCP exposure. Histopathological analysis showed that monocrotophos exposure caused neurodegenerative changes as evident by neurons with dystrophic changes in the form of shrunken hyperchromatic nuclei in all the regions of the rat brain. N-acetylcysteine supplementation to MCP-treated rats showed a reduction in oxidative stress and ameliorated cellular alterations in all of the three regions. The results of the study indicate that N-acetylcysteine offers neuroprotection by improving antioxidant response and decreasing oxidative stress in different regions of the rat brain.

N-Acetylcysteine Reverses Monocrotophos Exposure-Induced Hepatic Oxidative Damage via Mitigating Apoptosis, Inflammation and Structural Changes in Rats

Oxidative stress-mediated tissue damage is primarily involved in hepatic injuries and dysfunctioning. Natural antioxidants have been shown to exert hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties. The present study evaluated the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against monocrotophos (MCP) exposure-induced toxicity in the rat liver. Albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (1) control, (2) NAC-treated, (3) MCP-exposure, (4) NAC and MCP-coexposure group. The dose of MCP (0.9 mg/kg b.wt) and NAC (200 mg/kg b.wt) were administered orally for 28 days. Exposure to MCP caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and decreased glutathione content along with the depletion of antioxidant enzyme activities. Further MCP exposure increased pro-inflammatory cytokines levels and upregulated Bax and Caspase-3 expressions. MCP exposure also caused an array of structural alternations in liver tissue, as depicted by the histological and electron microscopic analysis. Thepretreatment of NAC improved glutathione content, restored antioxidant enzyme activities, prevented oxidation of lipids and proteins, decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines levels and normalized apoptotic protein expression. Treatment of NAC also prevented histological and ultrastructural alternations. Thus, the study represents the therapeutic efficacy and antioxidant potential of NAC against MCP exposure in the rat liver.

Influence of Systemic Administration of Coq10 Nanoparticles on Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury on Ovaries in Rat

Using a rat ovary model, effects of COQ10 nanoparticles (NCOQ10) were studied on ischemia-reperfusion injury. In the present experimental study, following randomization of thirty healthy female Wistar rats ∼250 g, the animals were subjected to five experimental groups (n = 6): group SHAM : only laparotomy was performed, group IS: only a 3-hour ischemia was performed, group IS/REP: the procedure included a 3-hour ischemia followed by a 3-hour reperfusion, and 50 µL soybean oil (solvent of NCOQ10) was administered 30 min before cessation of reperfusion, group IS/NCOQ10: the procedure included a 3-hour ischemia only and 50 µL (0.3 mmol/lit/IP) of NCOQ10 30 min before cessation of ischemia, and group IS/REP/NCOQ10: the procedure included a 3-hour ischemia, a 3-hour reperfusion, and 20 µL (0.3 mmol/lit) of NCOQ10 30 min before cessation of ischemia. Significantly amended development of ischemia/reperfusion tissue injury was observed in animals treated with NCOQ10 compared to those of other groups (P=0.001). Mean values of biochemical indices were significantly higher than those observed for other groups (P=0.001). Significantly lower values of MDA were observed in IS/REP/NCOQ10 animals compared to those of other groups (P=0.001).Where ovarian tissue is exposed to ischemia, intraperitoneal administration of NCOQ10 could bear clinical benefits in diminishing ischemia-reperfusion injury.