Abstract
Metalaxyl is a fungicide used to control soil-borne fungal diseases on fruits, cotton, soybean, peanuts and grasses. However, metalaxyl showed hazardous effects in animals. This study aimed to elucidate the histological, ultra structural alterations in the liver tissue caused by metalaxyl and to investigate the possible protective effects of Nigella Sativa (NS) against these alterations. Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into three equal groups. Group I (control), Group II (metalaxyl treated) received metalaxyl in a dose of 130 mg/kg/day 3 times per week for continuous 6 weeks. Group III (prophylactic group) received metalaxyl as group II in addition to oral Nigella Sativa (NS) in a daily dose of 400 mg/kg. At end of experiment, liver specimens were taken and processed for light and electron microscope examination. The histological study of the liver sections of metalaxyl treated group II showed necrotic and apoptotic changes in hepatocytes. Some central veins were congested and the blood sinusoids were ill-defined in between hepatocyte cords. The bile ducts of some portal tracts appeared with thickened wall and surrounded by cellular infiltrations. The liver sections of prophylactic group III appeared with more preserved histological structure except the presence of slightly congested central veins, and few hepatocytes with apoptotic nuclei. The statistical analysis of biochemical assay of serum and liver tissue of metalxyl treated animals, showed significant increase in oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) with significant decrease in antioxidants glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). However, there was significant increase in GSH with decrease in MDA and increase in GPx nearly to control levels in prophylactic group. Metalaxyl causes histopathological changes in liver most probably through oxidative stress. However, NS therapy could ameliorate these changes in liver most probably through its antioxidant properties. This may indicate the effectiveness of NS in prevention of metalaxyl hepatotoxicity.
Highlights
Pesticides play an important role in the effort to increase food production in today’s agriculture but, at the same time, they cause environmental hazards because of their toxicity and sometimes high persistence representing one of the problems of world-wide importance [1]
Group III received the same dose of metalaxyl given to animals of group II in addition to Nigella Sativa (NS) dissolved in 2 ml distilled water by orogastric tube in a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight daily for 6 weeks [26]
Light microscope examination of the liver sections of control showed liver lobules consisted of anastomosing cords of hepatocytes radiating from central vein
Summary
Pesticides play an important role in the effort to increase food production in today’s agriculture but, at the same time, they cause environmental hazards because of their toxicity and sometimes high persistence representing one of the problems of world-wide importance [1]. The presence of these toxic chemicals was recorded in water, air, house dust and in the tissues of non-occupationally exposed people, in the adipose tissue, blood and urine [2]. The liver is the most sensitive organ to biochemical changes its functions are greatly affected by pollutants resulting in an increase in serum enzymes levels [8]
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