BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Pyrethroidsare a group of synthetic pesticides similar to the natural pesticide pyrethrum, which is produced by chrysanthemum flowers. Bifenthrin is one of the pyrethroids that are widely used pesticide in households and to control crop vectors. The main goal of this work was to investigate the possible ameliorating effect of Costus Ethanolic Extract (CEE) against neurotoxicity induced by bifenthrin in adult-male rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were arranged randomly to 4 groups (8 rats each) as next. Group 1) control rats orally received 0.5 mL water for consecutive 30 days; group 2) healthy rats orally received CEE (200 mg kg) for consecutive thirty days; group 3) rats treated orally with 7 mg kg-1 day-1 bifenthrin for consecutive 30 days and group 4) included rats treated with bifenthrin for consecutive 30 days followed by administration with CEE another consecutive 30 days.

RESULTS

The results showed that CEE succeeded to decline the neurotoxicity-induced by bifenthrin; this was evidenced by the significant reduction in TNF-α, IL- 1β, MDA and nitric oxide levels in cortex, hippocampus and striatum concomitant with marked improvement in the values of GSH, dopamine, serotonin, AChE-ase, SOD, GPx and catalase that were diminished by bifenthrin intoxication. CEE improved also cognitive impairment and the deficits in motor coordination induced by bifenthrin.

CONCLUSION

CEE was found successful, to a great extent, to counteract the bifenthrin-induced brain oxidative stress and neurochemical deteriorations and possesses a protective potential against brain-induced neurotoxicity. Therefore, it may be a promising supplement for the amelioration of BF-neurotoxicity.