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

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.

Keywords: apoptosis; malathion toxicity; oxidative stress; pesticide; red grape seed extract.

Figure-1

The level of BDNF as pd/g (mean ± SE) in rat brain tissue for all studied groups. ***p < 0.0001 (malathion or RGES or malathion + RGES compare with control group). ^ap < 0.0001 (RGES or malathion + RGES compare with malathion group). BDNF=Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, SE=Standard error, RGSE=Red grape seed extract.

Figure-2

The activity of AchE is represented as U/mg (mean ± SE) in rat brain tissue for each group under study. *p < 0.05 (Malathion group compare with control group). ^dp < 0.001 (RGES or malathion + RGES group compare with control group). AchE=Acetylcholinesterase, SE=Standard error, RGSE=Red grape seed extract.

Figure-3

TAC as nM/g (mean ± SE), SOD U/mg (mean ± SE) in rat brain tissue for all studied groups. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.001, ***p < 0.0001, cNon significant correlation (malathion or RGES or malathion + RGES group compare with control group). ^ap < 0.0001, ^bp < 0.01, (RGES or malathion + RGES compare with malathion group). TAC=Total antioxidant capacity, SE=Standard error, SOD=Superoxide dismutase, RGSE=Red grape seed extract.

Figure-4

Caspase 3 activity U/g (mean ± SE) in rat brain tissue for all studied groups. ***p < 0.0001, ^cNon significant correlation (malathion or RGES or malathion + RGES group compare with control group). ^ap < 0.0001, ^cNon significant correlation (RGES or malathion + RGES group compare with malathion group). SE=Standard error, RGSE=Red grape seed extract.