The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2018;7(1):33-39 ; DOI:10.31254/phyto.2018.7108
Understanding the role of quercetin during neurotoxicity induced by Chlorpyrifos
Soheil Fereidounni1 , Davindar Kumar Dhawan1
1. Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160014, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 24th November, 2017 / Accepted: 5th January, 2018
Organophosphate Chlorpyrifos (CPF), a pesticide, is widely used across the world to control worms and insects. It is highly toxic and causes neurobehavioral disorders. Naturally occurring compounds having polyphenols as their structural units are considered beneficial against toxicities inflicted by organophosphates. The present study reports that quercetin, a polyphenol, provides neuroprotection following neurotoxicity induced by chlorpyrifos. To carry out the study, male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 170-200g were segregated into four groups viz: normal control, CPF treated (13.5mg/kg b. wt. alternate day), Quercetin treated (50mg/kg b. wt. every day) and combined CPF +Quercetin treated. All the treatments were carried out for a total duration 60 day. Rota-rod performance test and Actophotometer test were undertaken to evaluate the locomotor activity and muscular strength of animals. Further, experiments were also conducted to assess neurotoxicity and structural alterations of cerebrum and cerebellum of brain, if any, inflicted by chlorpyrifos. The results revealed a significant decrease in locomotor activity as well as muscular strength of animals following chlorpyrifos treatment which however were appreciably improved upon simultaneous supplementation with quercetin. Further, treatment with chlorpyrifos resulted in a significant decrease in the activity of acetyl cholinesterase in serum as well as in cerebrum and cerebellum which however was increased upon co-treatment with quercetin. On the contrary, we noticed a significant increase in the levels of acetylcholine both in cerebrum and cerebellum which were modulated upon supplementation of quercetin. Light micrographs of both cerebrum and cerebellum showed histoarchitectural alterations which were improved upon co-treatment with quercetin. This study therefore concludes that quercetin when used as a prophylactic intervention would provide protection against CPF induced neurotoxicity.
Chlorpyrifos, Quercetin, Acetylcholinesterase, Brain and Neurotoxicity.
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Fereidounni S, Dhawan DK. Understanding the role of quercetin during neurotoxicity induced by Chlorpyrifos. J Phytopharmacol 2018; 7(1):33- 39.
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