Attenuating effect of Prosopis cineraria against paraquat-induced toxicity in prepubertal mice, Mus musculus

Akhtar, Muhammad Furqan (2021) Attenuating effect of Prosopis cineraria against paraquat-induced toxicity in prepubertal mice, Mus musculus. Environmental Science and Pollution research.

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Abstract

Several herbicides, especially paraquat, are persistent organic pollutants which cause damage to humans and animals through
reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce exhibits antioxidant activity and can effectively manage
tremors. Therefore, the present research assessed the preventive effect of Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce ethanolic extract (PCDE)
against paraquat-induced toxicity in prepubertal mice. The plant extract was chemically characterized by a high-performance
liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). The PCDE was orally administered to prepubertal mice for continuous
21 days, 2 h before paraquat exposure (2 mg/kg for consecutive 3 days per week for 3 weeks). The changes in behavior,
motor coordination, memory, muscle movement, anxiety, and neurotransmitter levels in the brain were assessed. Histopathology
and estimation of oxidative stress parameters in the brain, liver, kidney, and heart tissues were also carried out. HPLC-DAD
analysis showed a high amount of quercetin, kaempferol, and ellagic acid derivatives in the plant extract. The PCDE showed
improved muscle coordination, muscle movement and memory, and reduced anxiety in prepubertal mice. Moreover, levels of
dopamine and noradrenaline were increased in the brain. It successfully ameliorated the oxidative stress in different organs by
increasing the level of glutathione and superoxide dismutase and by reducing malondialdehyde. The histopathological assessment
showed the plant extract effectively mitigated paraquat-induced pathological lesions in the neurons, neuroglia, hepatocytes,
and kidney tissues. It is concluded from the present study that the treatment with PCDE had prevented the paraquat-induced
toxicity in the brain, liver, kidney, and heart through the reduction of oxidative stress possibly due to the presence of phenolic
compounds and flavonoids.

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