Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the protective effect of propolis against the hepatotoxicity and brain damage of chlorpyrifos (CPF) in male rats. Animals were assigned to one of four groups. The first group was used as control.  Groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated with 6.8 mg CPF /kg BW (1/20 LD50); 50 mg propolis/kg BW; CPF (6.8 mg CPF/kg BW) plus propolis (50 mg propolis/kg BW). Rats were orally administered their respective doses daily for 28 days. Serum transaminases, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, total proteins, albumin, reduced glutathione, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, superoxide dismutase and catalase were assessed. Also, total lipid, cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-c were assayed. Oral treatment with CPF was found to elicit significant deterioration in all the tested parameters confirming its toxicity. The injury of liver tissues after CPF-treatment was confirmed by the histological changes. Also, CPF caused significant decrease in the activity of serum and brain cholinesterase but increased glial fibrillary acidic protein-expression and cause some histological changes in the brain tissues. While, oral treatment with propolis plus CPF could antagonize CPF-toxicity. These results suggest that propolis may become a promising tool for wide use in reducing the liver and brain damage during CPF-exposure.

Key words: Chlorpyrifos, propolis, rats, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes, biochemical parameters.

Abbreviation

CPF, Chlorpyrifos; TBARS, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances;AST, aspartate transaminase; ALT, alanine transaminase; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein; LDL-c, low density lipoprotein; SOD, superoxide dismutase; CAT, Catalase; GSH, reduced glutathione.