Ameliorative effects of jojoba oil on fipronil-induced hepatorenal- and neuro-toxicity: the antioxidant status and apoptotic markers expression in rats.

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) is an economically important plant due to its high oil content in the seeds. Fipronil is an extensively used phenylpyrazole insecticide. The present investigation aimed to assess the possible ameliorative effect of jojoba oil on fipronil induced toxicity in rats. Animals orally received the insecticide dissolved in corn oil by stomach tube at 1/10th LD for 28 days. Fipronil induced hepatorenal toxic effects evidenced by elevated serum ALT, AST, ALP, and LDH activities, and urea and creatinine levels, with histomorphological changes in the liver and kidney. Brain GABA was elevated with histopathological alterations in the brain tissue. Oxidative stress was demonstrated in liver, brain, and kidney as indicated by elevated MDA and NO levels with reduction in GSH level and activities of SOD and CAT. In addition, caspase-3 gene expression was enhanced, while Bcl2 gene expression was downregulated in the three organs. Increased DNA fragmentation was recorded in the liver and kidney. Cotreatment of jojoba oil with fipronil ameliorated the toxic effects of fipronil on various organs with improvement of the antioxidant status, the rate of apoptosis and the histopathological alterations. In conclusion, jojoba oil provided significant protection against fipronil induced hepatorenal- and neuro-toxicity, by its antioxidant and antiapoptic effects, making it a possible beneficial protective of natural origin.