Quercetin abates induction of hepatic and renal oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis in carbendazim-treated rats

Exposure to the fungicide carbendazim (CBZ) has been associated with hepatorenal dysfunction. Quercetin, a naturally occurring polyphenolic phytochemical, reportedly possesses beneficial health effects. However, there is paucity of scientific information on the impact of quercetin on CBZ-induced hepatorenal damage. The present study investigated the protective mechanism of quercetin in CBZ-induced hepatic and renal damage in rats. The treatment groups consisted of control, CBZ alone (50 mg/kg), quercetin alone (20 mg/kg), and rats co-treated with CBZ and quercetin for 14 consecutive days. Quercetin co-treatment significantly (p < 0.05) abated CBZ-induced increase in biomarkers of hepatorenal damage when compared to CBZ alone. Also, quercetin abrogated CBZ-mediated decrease in antioxidant status as well as the increase in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and lipid peroxidation in the treated rats. Furthermore, quercetin significantly suppressed CBZ-mediated increase in interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and caspase-3 activity in the liver and kidney of the rats. Histopathological examination demonstrated that the severity of CBZ-induced hepatic and renal injury was ameliorated in rats co-treated with quercetin. Taken together, quercetin-mediated hepatorenal protection in CBZ-treated rats involves antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic mechanisms.