Quercetin ameliorates acetamiprid-inducedhepatotoxicity and oxidative stress

Introduction: Neonicotinoids are a new type of insecticides that have been introduced to the poison market during the last three decades. Acetamiprid (ACT) is a neonicotinoid and widely used for controlling pests. It targets the liver as a toxic agent and damages hepatic tissues through oxidative stress mechanisms. Quercetin is a flavonoid with potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity and protects tissues from oxidative damages. Thus, this study is aimed to assess the protective effect of quercetin on acetamiprid-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: Thirty-six Wistar rats were classified into six groups including control, DMSO, ACT 20, ACT 40, quercetin, and ACT40+quercetin. All treatments were administered orally with gavage for 28 days. Alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme activity was measured in serum as biomarkers of hepatotoxicity. Lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity and total thiol content were measured in hepatic tissues. Also, hepatic tissue sections were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and evaluated under optic microscope for any tissue injuries. Results: Findings showed that ACT, especially in high dose (40mg/kg), induced hepatic tissue destruction associated with increased hepatic enzyme activity, except ALP activity, in the serum. Besides, ACT increased the lipid peroxidation and decreased total thiol content and SOD activity, which indicates ACT-induced oxidative stress in hepatic tissues. Also, hepatic tissue injuries were observed in ACT-treated group. All these changes in liver were prevented by quercetin. Conclusion: Because of strong antioxidant properties, quercetin can cope effectively with ACT-induced hepatotoxicity.