Effects of black seed and thyme leaves dietary supplements against malathion insecticide-induced toxicity in experimental rat model

Abstract

Objectives: Malathion is a widely used pesticide in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against pests that infest dates, and it causes severe damage to humans and animals. We evaluated the possible defensive effect of dietary supplementation with powdered black seeds (PBS) and powdered thyme leaves (PTL) against malathion-induced toxicity in a rat model. Methods: Rats were divided into 4 equal groups: healthy control group, malathion-intoxicated group, malathion-intoxicated rats fed diets supplemented with PBS group, and malathion-intoxicated rats fed diets supplemented with PTL group. about I mL aliquot of each blood sample was kept in an EDTA-containing tube, and used immediately to measure different hematological parameters, including hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, leukocytes and platelets. Signs of toxicity were recorded daily. After sacrifice, internal organs (liver, kidneys) were removed and washed in cold saline and used to obtain gross findings and perform biochemical serum analysis. Results: Malathion-induced toxicity was shown by altered hematological parameters, increasing serum lipid parameters, oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, and kidney and liver damage. However, dietary supplementation with either PBS or PTL reversed the toxic effect of malathion by ameliorating lipid parameters, antioxidant enzyme levels, and proinflammatory cytokine levels. Moreover, both supplements exhibited a protective effect against liver and kidney damage. Conclusion: Dietary supplementation with either PBS or PTL reduced malathion toxicity through different antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Keywords: Black seed, Thyme leaves, Malathion insecticide, Toxicity