Wheat germ oil extenuates malathion-pesticide induced hepatic toxicity in male Albino rats

Abstract

Background: Malathion, an organophosphorus and rampantly used insecticide in agriculture, is hepatotoxic agent. In this study, the hepatoprotective capacity of wheat germ oil WGO was tested against malathion-induced liver damage in male Albino rats. Methods: Rats were divided into four groups as follow: A group of healthy rats were fed on a balanced diet (control group), while other groups of rats were fed on malathion- supplemented basal diet (100 mg/kg basal diet) (malathion group), malathion and WGO (400 mg/kg basal diet) (malathion + WGO group) and wheat germ oil (400 mg/ Kg. basal diet) (WGO group) for 30 days. Oxidative stress OS markers including: Malondialdehyde MDA, superoxide dismutase SOD, catalase and glutathione S-transferase GST were examined. In addition, functional markers enzymes of the liver including aspartate aminotransferase AST, ALP, alanine aminotransferase ALT, alkaline phosphatase ALP, glutamyl transferase γGT and other indices including total proteins, globulin and albumin levels were measured in serum. Liver histological changes were studied by H&E staining. Results: A marked elevation in OS and markers of liver function and a significant decrease in albumin, globulin, and total protein levels were noted in rats fed on a malathion supplemented diet as compared to those in control rats. Contrarily rats fed on WGO supplemented diet exhibited a significant reversal in all the studied parameters as well as histopathological changes. Findings demonstrate the hepatoprotective potential of WGO against malathion-induced liver toxicity and likely mediated through the attenuation of oxidative stress OS.

Keywords

• Malathion
• Wheat germ oil
• Liver
• Oxidative stress