Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Thymoquinone and Lycopene Mitigate the Chlorpyrifos-Induced Toxic Neuropathy

Abstract

CPF (chlorpyrifos) is an organophosphate pesticide used in agricultural and veterinary applications. Our experiment aimed to explore the effects of thymoquinone (TQ) and/or lycopene (LP) against CPF-induced neurotoxicity. Wistar rats were categorized into seven groups: first group served as a control (corn oil only); second group, TQ (10 mg/kg); third group, LP (10 mg/kg); fourth group, CPF (10 mg/kg) and deemed as CPF toxic control; fifth group, TQ + CPF; sixth group, (LP + CPF); and seventh group, (TQ + LP + CPF). CPF intoxication inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AchE), decreased glutathione (GSH) content, and increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), an oxidative stress biomarker. Furthermore, CPF impaired the activity of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) along with enhancement of the level of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β. CPF evoked apoptosis in brain tissue. TQ or LP treatment of CPF-intoxicated rats greatly improved AchE activity, oxidative state, inflammatory responses, and cell death. Co-administration of TQ and LP showed better restoration than their sole treatment. In conclusion, TQ or LP supplementation may alleviate CPF-induced neuronal injury, most likely due to TQ or LPs’ antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects.

N-Acetylcysteine Alleviated the Deltamethrin-Induced Oxidative Cascade and Apoptosis in Liver and Kidney Tissues

“…Consequently, progressive accumulation of sloughed epithelia in the tubular lumen might explain the dilated tubules in the DLM-injured group [ 43 ]. It is strongly reported that inflammatory response is associated with oxidative stress; herein, the inflammatory cell infiltrations were seen in the liver and kidney tissue after DLM exposure [ 40 , 45 ]. All of these observed pathological lesions were improved after supplementation of NAC.…”

“…Accumulative evidence suggested that a large amount of hydroxyl radical (OH • ) are produced during oxidative stress. OH • is the most injurious radical compared to other ROS that has a great affinity to the lipid content of the cell membrane [ 34 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ]. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that the increased MDA levels was associated with DLM-induced ROS production.…”

“…Reduced-glutathione (GSH) is a cellular antioxidant that plays a crucial role in the scavenging of ROS [ 40 , 43 ]. SOD is required for dismutation of the normally generated superoxide anion (O 2 •− ).…”

“…SOD is required for dismutation of the normally generated superoxide anion (O 2 •− ). However, when the O 2 •− is over generated, the SOD is overwhelmed leading to disruption of the cellular oxidant/antioxidant balance [ 40 ]. The present investigation revealed enhanced lipid peroxidation alongside dramatic reductions in SOD activity and GSH level, affirming that oxidative stress is a key factor in DLM-induced liver and kidney damage.…”

“…Khalaf and his group found that the insecticide increased the expression of the caspase3 [ 50 ], confirming our obtained data. Our previous studies with others have linked mitochondrial dysfunction to apoptosis through the development of ROS and the activation of caspases [ 24 , 34 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 51 ]. Interestingly, in the present investigation, treatment with the antioxidant NAC reversed DLM-induced apoptotic responses in hepatic and renal tissue, revealing the antiapoptotic competence of NAC against DLM-induced tissue injury.…”