Pyrethroids toxicity in vertebrates and invertebrates and amelioration by bioactive compounds: A review

Generations of different synthetic pesticides have been launched over time to maintain balance between production and consumption of the agricultural yield, control various disease programmes, store grains, etc. Pyrethroids, which are supposed to be non-toxic, have been excessively implemented and have contaminated soil and water bodies. Thus, pyrethroids cause severe and dreadful pernicious effects on various life forms residing in soil, air, and water. Various obnoxious effects of pyrethroids have been analyzed in the vertebrate and invertebrate systems of the animal kingdom. Pyrethroids, namely, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin, Beta-cyfluthrin, Esfenvalerate, Fenvalerate, and Bifenthrin, have set out various types of degenerative and toxic impacts that include oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity involving thymic and splenic toxicity, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, foetal toxicity, alterations in serum calcium and phosphate levels, cerebral and bone marrow degeneration, degeneration of the reproductive system, histological alteration, and DNA damage. Bioactive compounds like Diosmin, Curcumin, Rutin, Spirulina platensis, sesame oil, Naringin, Allicin, Piperine, alpha-lipoic acid, alpha-tocopherol, Cyperus rotundus L. tuber extract, herbal syrup from chicory and artichoke leaves, green tea extract, Quercetin, Trans-ferulic acid, Ascorbic acid, Propolis, ethanolic extract of grape pomace, and Melatonin have been reported to sublime the toxic effects of these pesticides. The expanding harmfulness of pesticides is a real and demanding issue that needs to be overcome, and bioactive compounds have been shown to reduce the toxicity in vivo as well as in vitro.

Panax ginseng ameliorates hepatorenal oxidative alterations induced by commercially used cypermethrin in male rats: experimental and molecular docking approaches

Cypermethrin (CYP) is a synthetic pyrethroid utilized as an insecticide in agriculture and various pest eradication programs. However, it induces numerous health hazards for animals and humans. Therefore, the current study used Panax ginseng root extract (ginseng) to reduce the hepatorenal damage caused by commercially used CYP. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were distributed into control, ginseng (300 mg/kg B.W/day), CYP (4.67 mg/kg B.W.), and Ginseng+CYP (rats received both CYP and ginseng). All treatments were administered orally for 30 consecutive days. Cypermethrin induced harmful effects on hepatic and renal tissues through a substantial decline in body weight in addition to a considerable increase in liver enzymes, functional renal markers, and cholesterol. Also, CYP significantly decreased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)). Moreover, a marked increase in malondialdehyde level with a significant drop in reduced glutathione level and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities was reported in the CYP group in kidney and liver tissues. Additionally, CYP exhibited affinities to bind and inhibit AChE and antioxidant enzymes (T-SOD and CAT) in rats following the molecular docking modeling. The apparent hepatorenal oxidative damage was linked with obvious impairments in the liver and kidney histoarchitecture, immunohistochemical staining of B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and caspase-3 proteins. Ginseng reduced CYP's oxidative alterations by repairing the metabolic functional markers, improving antioxidant status, reducing the inflammatory response, and enhancing the molecular docking evaluation. It also ameliorated the intensity of the histopathological alterations and improved the immunohistochemical staining of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 proteins in the liver and kidney tissues. Finally, concomitant oral administration of ginseng mitigated CYP-prompted hepatorenal damage through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic potentials.

Lambda-cyhalothrin-induced pancreatic toxicity in adult albino rats

Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) is one of the most frequently utilized pyrethroids. This study aimed to explore the toxic effects of subacute exposure to LCT on the pancreas and the hepatic glucose metabolism in adult male albino rats. 20 rats were equally grouped into; Control group and LCT group. The latter received LCT (61.2 mg/kg b.wt.), orally on a daily basis for 28 days. At the end of experiment, blood samples were collected for the determination of serum glucose and insulin levels. Pancreases were harvested and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA); catalase (CAT); superoxide dismutase (SOD); reduced glutathione (GSH); tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); interleukin-6 (IL-6); nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2); heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1); and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) were assessed. Also, liver samples were analyzed for the activity of glucose metabolism enzymes, glycogen content, and pyruvate and lactate concentrations. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of pancreatic tissues were undertaken as well. Results revealed hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, increased MDA, TNF-α, IL-6, and NF-κB levels, in association with reduced CAT, SOD, GSH, Nrf2, and HO-1 levels in LCT group. Liver analyses demonstrated a clear disturbance in the hepatic enzymes of glucose metabolism, diminished glycogen content, decreased pyruvate, and increased lactate concentrations. Besides, pancreatic islets displayed degenerative changes and β-cells loss. Immunohistochemistry revealed diminished area percentage (%) of insulin and Nrf2 and increased TNF-α immunoreaction. In conclusion, subacute exposure to LCT induces pancreatic toxicity, mostly via oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms, and dysregulates hepatic glucose metabolism in albino rats.

Nano-selenium relieved hepatic and renal oxidative damage in hypothyroid rats

Hypothyroidism can induce oxidative stress. Nano-selenium (Nano Sel) has antioxidant effects. The current research explored Nano Sel effects on hepatic and renal oxidative damage induced by hypothyroidism in rats. Animals were grouped into (1) Control; (2) Propylthiouracil (PTU) group which received water mixed with 0.05% of PTU; (3) PTU-Nano Sel 50; (4) PTU-Nano Sel 100; and (5) PTU-Nano Sel 150. Besides PTU, the PTU-Nano Sel groups were treated with 50, 100, or 150 μg/kg of Nano Sel intraperitoneally. Treatments were done for 6 weeks. The serum level of T4, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, total protein, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was evaluated. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total thiol concentration and the activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in hepatic and renal tissues also were checked. Hypothyroidism induced by PTU significantly increased AST, ALT, ALP, creatinine, BUN, and MDA concentration and noticeably reduced albumin, total protein, total thiol level, and SOD and CAT activity. Administration of Nano Sel ameliorated the adverse effects of hypothyroidism on liver and kidney function. Nano Sel applied protective effects against hepatic and renal damage resulting from hypothyroidism via ameliorating the oxidative stress status. More cellular and molecular experiments need to be done to understand the exact mechanisms.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Curcumin Nano-Lipid Carrier against Cypermethrin Toxicity by Countering the Oxidative, Inflammatory, and Apoptotic Changes in Wistar Rats

This study investigated the potential hepatoprotective activity of curcumin-incorporated nano-lipid carrier (Cur-NLC) against cypermethrin (Cyp) toxicity in adult Wistar male rats. All animals in groups III, IV, V, and VI were subjected to Cyp (50 mg/kg) toxicity for 15 days. Three different doses of Cur-NLC (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg/day) were administered orally for 10 days. The toxic effects were evaluated considering the increases in serum hepatic biomarkers alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein and albumin, and lipid peroxidation (LPO), as well as a decrease in antioxidative activity (reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase) and the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α). Immunohistochemistry studies of proteins (NF-κB, Apaf-1, 4-HNE, and Bax) showed enhanced expression, and histopathological examination revealed architectural changes in liver cells, indicating liver toxicity in animals. Toxicity was determined by quantitative and qualitative determinations of DNA fragmentation, which show massive apoptosis with Cyp treatment. The administration of Cur-NLC significantly ameliorates all changes caused by Cyp, such as a decrease in the levels of serum liver markers, an increase in antioxidative parameters, a decrease in expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB), and apoptosis (caspases-3, 9, Apaf-1, 4-HNE, and Bax), according to calorimetric and immunohistochemistry studies. The smear-like pattern of DNA is ameliorated similarly to the control at a high dose of Cur-NLC. Furthermore, all histopathological changes were reduced to a level close to the control. In conclusion, Cur-NLC could be a potent nutraceutical that exhibits a hepatoprotective effect against Cyp-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Evaluation of Toxic Effects Induced by Sub-Acute Exposure to Low Doses of α-Cypermethrin in Adult Male Rats

To contribute new information to the pyrethroid pesticide α-cypermethrin toxicity profile, we evaluated its effects after oral administration to Wistar rats at daily doses of 2.186, 0.015, 0.157, and 0.786 mg/kg bw for 28 days. Evaluations were performed using markers of oxidative stress, cholinesterase (ChE) activities, and levels of primary DNA damage in plasma/whole blood and liver, kidney, and brain tissue. Consecutive exposure to α-cypermethrin affected the kidney, liver, and brain weight of rats. A significant increase in concentration of the thiobarbituric acid reactive species was observed in the brain, accompanied by a significant increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. An increase in GPx activity was also observed in the liver of all α-cypermethrin-treated groups, while GPx activity in the blood was significantly lower than in controls. A decrease in ChE activities was observed in the kidney and liver. Treatment with α-cypermethrin induced DNA damage in the studied cell types at almost all of the applied doses, indicating the highest susceptibility in the brain. The present study showed that, even at very low doses, exposure to α-cypermethrin exerts genotoxic effects and sets in motion the antioxidative mechanisms of cell defense, indicating the potential hazards posed by this insecticide.

Evaluation of Different Surface Coating Agents for Selenium Nanoparticles: Enhanced Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Drug Loading Capacity

Background

Inflammation is the keystone in the disease’s pathological process in response to any damaging stimuli. Therefore, any agent that inhibits the inflammatory response is under focus, either a drug or a bioactive compound. Selenium nanoparticles have drawn attention in various biomedical applications, including the anti-inflammatory activity.

Purpose

In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the capacity of different surface coating materials (soybean lecithin, PEG 6000, and β-cyclodextrin) to enhance the anti-inflammatory activity of the synthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). The capability of the coated SeNPs to adsorb indomethacin (IND) on their surfaces compared to the uncoated SeNPs was also evaluated.

Methods

SeNPs were synthesized, coated with different materials, and characterized in vitro using X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, FTIR, SEM, TEM, and particle size and zeta potential measurements. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the uncoated/coated SeNPs loaded into hydrogel was evaluated using a carrageenan-induced paw edema rat model. The effect of SeNPs surface coatings was further evaluated for IND loading capacity.

Results

Our findings proved the superior anti-inflammatory activity of all coated SeNPs compared to the uncoated SeNPs, especially with β-cyclodextrin surface coating. Regarding the IND loading capacity of the prepared uncoated/coated SeNPs, the amount of drug loaded was 0.12, 1.12, 0.3, and 0.14 µg IND/µg SeNPs for the uncoated, lecithin-, PEG- and β-CD-coated SeNPs, respectively.

Conclusion

Surface functionalization of SeNPs can provide a synergistic therapeutic activity. Our results are promising for further investigation of the in vivo anti-inflammatory synergistic activity of the IND-loaded surface-coated SeNPs.

Anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, and mitochondrial regulatory effects of selenium nanoparticles against vancomycin induced nephrotoxicity in experimental rats

AIM

Nephrotoxicity is the major limiting factor for the clinical use of vancomycin (VCM) for treatment against multi-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. The present research aimed to investigate the ability of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) to protect against VCM-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

MAIN METHODS

Experimental rats were divided into five groups; the first was the normal control, the second was treated with VCM (200 mg/kg twice/day, i.p.) for 7 days. The third, fourth, and fifth groups were treated orally with SeNPs (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg/day); respectively. SeNPs were administered for 12 days before VCM, 1 week simultaneously with VCM, and for another 1 week after its administration.

KEY FINDINGS

Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) were significantly increased in kidney tissue after VCM administration. Expression of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), caspase 3 and caspase 9 in kidney tissue was significantly increased, while the antioxidant enzymes, mitochondrial complexes, the ATP levels and B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2) were decreased in kidney in the VCM-treated rats compared to the normal control group. Treatment with SeNPs significantly decreased levels of MDA, iNOS, NO, TNF-α, and KIM-1 in the kidney tissue. Administration of SeNPs also downregulated the expression of the proapoptotic agents and enhanced the activities of the antioxidant enzymes and the mitochondrial enzyme complexes in the kidney.

SIGNIFICANCE

SeNPs alleviated VCM-induced nephrotoxicity through their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and mitochondrial protective effects.