Abstract
Propiconazole is a broadly used fungicide that leaves residues in food and water causing severe dangerous effects on humans and animals. The current investigation was performed to evaluate the propiconazole toxicity on the liver and kidney of male albino rats and to assess the protective role of carvacrol against these adverse effects. Sixty male Wistar albino rats were used in this experiment and were divided into four equal groups: control group, propiconazole group, carvacrol group, and propiconazole + carvacrol group. Rats were treated daily by oral gavage for 60 days with propiconazole (75 mg/kg) and/or carvacrol (50 mg/kg). The results demonstrated that exposure to propiconazole resulted in a significant elevation in serum biomarkers that indicate malfunction of the liver and kidney. Additionally, exposure to propiconazole resulted in oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation manifested by a significant reduction in glutathione content and catalase activity, and a significant increase in malondialdehyde content in the liver and kidney. These toxic effects were confirmed by histopathological studies and DNA laddering assay. Conversely, carvacrol reduced propiconazole-induced detrimental effects and improved the histopathological pictures of both liver and kidney tissues. Therefore, carvacrol can be used as a prophylactic natural compound against propiconazole-induced toxic effects in the liver and kidney.
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This research work was financially supported by Cairo University.
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AAK and MAE conceived the study and designed the experiment; EIH performed the pathological study. AAA performed the biochemical parameters; MAI and MKG performed the molecular assay. PAN performed the experimental design and carried out data analysis. RAA performed oxidative stress evaluations. All authors read, revised, and approved the final manuscript.
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The authors declare that the experiments with animals were performed in compliance with international rules on the care and use of laboratory animals. The study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of the Cairo University (protocol approval number: CU-II-S-50-17).
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Khalaf, A.A.A., Elhady, M.A., Hassanen, E.I. et al. Antioxidant Role of Carvacrol Against Hepatotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity Induced by Propiconazole in Rats. Rev. Bras. Farmacogn. 31, 67–74 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43450-021-00127-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43450-021-00127-8