Possible protective effect of Urtica dioica against neurotoxicity of lambda- cyhalothrin in rat

Abstract

The intensive use of pesticides in recent years has led to the emergence of numerous ecological, environmental, and health problems. Indeed, the presence of these substances poses potential health risks. Herbal medicine plays an important role in treating the components of several diseases. Nettle (Urtica dioica) is considered a valuable plant thanks to its bioactive compounds such as formic acid and its richness in flavonoids. In this context, our study was conducted to investigate the neurotoxic effect of a pyrethroid insecticide, Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT), and the possible protective power of Urtica dioica extract (URT) in rats. An ethnobotanical study was conducted to assess the recognition and use of this plant in our region, and an in vivo study was conducted on twenty female rats of the Wistar strain, which were divided into four groups and treated orally for 30 days: control group; group treated with LCT (6.3 mg/kg); URT-treated group (100 mg/kg) and a co-treatment group. At the end of the experiment, we performed a battery of behavioral tests (FST, EPM, OF) and the rats were decapitated and their blood was collected for hematological and biochemical analysis (blood glucose), and the brain was carefully removed and preserved for the antioxidant markers. The results show that LCT induced, a loss of body weight, hematological disturbances (Leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia and anemia), hyperglycemia, an increase in brain protein levels, a decrease in brain GSH and GST activities, and behavioral disorders (Reduction in locomotion and exploratory performance, anxiogenic and depression-like behaviors). In contrast, administration of Urtica dioica significantly attenuated these alterations: improvement in the activity of brain antioxidant markers, stabilization of hematological parameters, partial normalization of behavior, and reduction of hyperglycemia. These results suggest an anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antioxidant effect of Urtica dioica against LCT-induced damages.