Ameliorative Role of Ethanolic

Background and Aim: Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate (OP) pesticide, is used worldwide in agriculture as an insecticide; its exposure has been linked to neurological disorder, endocrine disruption, cardiovascular disease, etc. Materials and Methods: A total of 36 male Wistar rats were divided into six groups, which included Group 1 as Control group, Group 2 as CPF 7.5 mg/kg, Group 3 as CPF 7.5 mg/kg + ATR 10 mg/kg, Group 4 as CPF 7.5 mg/kg + NS 2.5 mg/kg, Group 5 as CPF 7.5 mg/kg + NS 5 mg/kg, and Group 6 as CPF 7.5 mg/kg + NS 10 mg/kg. NS and CPF in their respective doses were administered orally, and ATR was given as intraperitoneal injection every day for 28 days. Neurotoxicity was assessed by measuring oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA], a marker of lipid peroxidation), antioxidant status (reduced glutathione [GSH]), inflammatory markers (interleukin-1β [IL-1β]), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris Water Maze test. Testicular toxicity was evaluated through sperm count and histopathology assessment. Results: The treatment with NS at a dose of 10 mg/kg showed neuroprotective effect through elevation in AChE activity, significant decrease in IL-β levels, dose-dependent decrease, and increase in MDA and GSH levels, respectively, and improved spatial memory as evidenced by increase in escape latency and the number of entries in the Morris water maze test. However, there was no significant effect in testicular toxicity. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that the ethanolic seed extract of NS has significant neuroprotective activity against CPF-induced neurotoxicity, mainly at the dose of 10 mg/kg, as portrayed by the improvement in AChE activity and cognitive performance combined with its anti-inflammatory effect through a decrease in IL-1β levels and antioxidant effect through increase in GSH and reduction in MDA levels. However, the NS extract did not show any significant protective effect against CPF-induced testicular toxicity. These results indicate the potential therapeutic role of NS in mitigating OP-induced neurological damage, justifying further studies to elucidate its mechanisms and extended benefits.