Protective Role of Carissa edulis Ethanolic Extract Against Dimethoate-induced Hepatotoxicity in Guinea Pigs

Advances in organophosphorus pesticides pollution: Current status and challenges in ecotoxicological, sustainable agriculture, and degradation strategies

Organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) are one of the most widely used types of pesticide that play an important role in the production process due to their effects on preventing pathogen infection and increasing yield. However, in the early development and application of OPPs, their toxicological effects and the issue of environmental pollution were not considered. With the long-term overuse of OPPs, their hazards to the ecological environment (including soil and water) and animal health have attracted increasing attention. Therefore, this review first clarified the classification, characteristics, applications of various OPPs, and the government's restriction requirements on various OPPs. Second, the toxicological effects and metabolic mechanisms of OPPs and their metabolites were introduced in organisms. Finally, the existing methods of degrading OPPs were summarized, and the challenges and further addressing strategy of OPPs in the sustainable development of agriculture, the environment, and ecology were prospected. However, methods to solve the environmental and ecological problems caused by OPPs from the three aspects of use source, use process, and degradation methods were proposed, which provided a theoretical basis for addressing the stability of the ecological environment and improving the structure of the pesticide industry in the future.

Dimethoate induces genotoxicity as a result of oxidative stress: in vivo and in vitro studies

Dimethoate ([O,O-dimethyl S-(N-methylcarbamoylmethyl) phosphorodithioate]) is an organophosphate insecticide and acaricide widely used for agricultural purposes. Genotoxicity refers to the ability of a chemical agent interact directly to DNA or act indirectly leading to DNA damage by affecting spindle apparatus or enzymes involved in DNA replication, thereby causing mutations. Taking into consideration the importance of genotoxicity induced by dimethoate, the purpose of this manuscript was to provide a mini review regarding genotoxicity induced by dimethoate as a result of oxidative stress. The present study was conducted on studies available in MEDLINE, PUBMED, EMBASE, and Google scholar for all kind of articles (all publications published until May, 2020) using the following key words: dimethoate, omethoate, DNA damage, genetic damage, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, mutation, and mutagenicity. The results showed that many studies were published in the scientific literature; the approach was clearly demonstrated in multiple tissues and organs, but few papers were designed in humans. In summary, new studies within the field are important for better understanding the pathobiological events of genotoxicity on human cells, particularly to explain what cells and/or tissues are more sensitive to genotoxic insult induced by dimethoate.

Cytotoxicity, Acute, and Subacute Study of Hydroalcoholic Root Extract of Carissa spinarum L. on Wistar Rats

Carissa spinarum L. (Apocynaceae) is used traditionally, in Africa, to treat many diseases such as malaria, sickle cell anemia, epilepsy, helminthoses, and sexual weakness. The aim of this study is to investigate the cytotoxicity on Artemia salina, the acute and subacute (28 days) oral toxicity of C. spinarum hydroalcoholic root extract on Wistar rats. The cytotoxicity was performed on A. salina larvae. The acute and subacute toxicity was performed using Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development guideline. Malondiadehyde as lipoperoxidation marker was evaluated and expressed according to tissue proteins. The cytotoxicity has shown that the lethal concentration 50 (LC₅₀) was 0.9 mg/mL. The limit test dose of 5000 mg/kg did not provoke death or toxicity signs. For the subacute toxicity, no signs of toxicity or mortality were observed during the experiment. Results of biochemical and hematological parameters have not shown any treatment-related abnormalities, except a significant decrease of alkaline phosphatase at 1000 mg/kg (P < .05) and an increase of chloride ion level at 500 mg/kg (P < .01). There was no significant difference between the treated group and the control group concerning the malondialdehyde concentration, the body weight, and the organs relative weight (P < .05), except for testis at 500 mg/kg (P < .05). According to our results, the hydroalcoholic extract of C. spinarum roots is safe when administrated at 500 mg and 1000 mg/kg to Wistar rats for 28 days.

Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice: Neuroprotective Effects of Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Valh (Apocynaceae) Aqueous Extract

Alzheimer's disease is first characterised by memory loss related to the central cholinergic system alteration. Available drugs provide symptomatic treatment with known side effects. The present study is aimed to evaluate the properties of Carissa edulis aqueous extract on a Scopolamine mouse model as an attempt to search for new compounds against Alzheimer's disease-related memory impairment. Memory impairment was induced by administration of 1 mg/kg (i.p.) of Scopolamine for 7 days, and mice were treated with Carissa edulis aqueous extract. Behavioural studies were performed using T-maze and novel object recognition task for assessing learning and memory and open field test for locomotion. Brain acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) activity was measured to evaluate the central cholinergic system. The level of MDA, glutathione, and catalase activity were measured to evaluate the oxidative stress level. Administration of Scopolamine shows a decrease in learning and memory enhancement during behavioural studies. A significant decrease in the time spent in the preferred arm of T-maze, in the time spent in the exploration of the novel object, and in the discrimination index of the familiar object was also observed. The significant impairment of the central cholinergic system was characterised in mice by an increase of AChE activity to 2.55 ± 0.10 mol/min/g with an increase in oxidative stress. Treatment with the different doses of Carissa edulis (62.8, 157, 314, and 628 mg/kg orally administrated) significantly increased the memory of mice in T-maze and novel object recognition tests and also ameliorated locomotion of mice in the open field. Carissa edulis aqueous extract treatment also decreases the AChE activity and brain oxidative stress. It is concluded that administration of Carissa edulis aqueous extract enhances memory of mice by reducing AChE activity and demonstrating antioxidant properties. This could be developed into a novel therapy against memory impairment related to Alzheimer's disease.