Sharma Divyansh, Mishra Sakshi, Jha Gaurav, Tomar Bhawna, Kanchan Sonam, Kapoor Radhika, Gupta Shivangi, Shukla Shubha, Rath Srikanta Kumar
Division of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226031, India.
Division of Neuroscience and Ageing Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226031, India.
Neuromolecular Med. 2025 May 20;27(1):39. doi: 10.1007/s12017-025-08859-9.
Organophosphate insecticides like malathion, though less toxic than other compounds in the same class, remain a significant public health concern due to their widespread use and potential neurotoxic effects. Prolonged exposure to malathion can lead to environmental contamination and neurobehavioral issues such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment, mediated through cholinergic and non-cholinergic pathways. Cynodon dactylon (L.), a medicinal herb renowned in traditional and Ayurvedic medicine, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and neuroprotective properties. Evidence suggests that it can mitigate neurotoxicity and improve brain antioxidant status in rodent models. Therefore, this study explored the protective effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Cynodon dactylon (HAECD) on malathion-induced neurotoxicity, emphasizing its impact on behavior, biochemistry, and brain structure. Forty-two Swiss mice were randomly assigned to six groups, each containing seven mice. One group received normal saline (control), while another was given malathion (100 mg/kg, orally). Three groups received HAECD (250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg daily) alongside malathion, and the final group received only HAECD (1000 mg/kg, orally). Behavioral tests, including the elevated plus maze, light-dark test, and Morris water maze to assess the anxiety-depression-like behaviors, and cognitive function. Biochemical analyses measured acetylcholinesterase activity, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Inflammatory markers and hippocampal histopathology were also examined. Results indicated that HAECD significantly alleviated anxiety and cognitive dysfunction while reducing oxidative stress markers, restoring antioxidant enzyme levels, and modulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor and inflammatory responses. These findings highlight the potential of HAECD in protecting the brain from malathion-induced neurotoxicity.
像马拉硫磷这样的有机磷杀虫剂，尽管比同类中的其他化合物毒性小，但由于其广泛使用和潜在的神经毒性作用，仍然是一个重大的公共卫生问题。长期接触马拉硫磷会导致环境污染以及神经行为问题，如焦虑、抑郁和认知障碍，这些是通过胆碱能和非胆碱能途径介导的。狗牙根（Cynodon dactylon (L.)）是一种在传统医学和阿育吠陀医学中著名的药草，具有抗炎、抗氧化、抗糖尿病和神经保护特性。有证据表明，它可以减轻啮齿动物模型中的神经毒性并改善大脑抗氧化状态。因此，本研究探讨了狗牙根水醇提取物（HAECD）对马拉硫磷诱导的神经毒性的保护作用，重点关注其对行为、生物化学和脑结构的影响。42只瑞士小鼠被随机分为6组，每组7只。一组接受生理盐水（对照组），另一组给予马拉硫磷（100毫克/千克，口服）。三组在给予马拉硫磷的同时接受HAECD（每日250、500或1000毫克/千克），最后一组仅接受HAECD（1000毫克/千克，口服）。行为测试包括高架十字迷宫、明暗试验和莫里斯水迷宫，以评估焦虑抑郁样行为和认知功能。生化分析测量了乙酰胆碱酯酶活性、脂质过氧化、抗氧化酶（超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶）以及脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）。还检查了炎症标志物和海马组织病理学。结果表明，HAECD显著减轻了焦虑和认知功能障碍，同时降低了氧化应激标志物，恢复了抗氧化酶水平，并调节了脑源性神经营养因子和炎症反应。这些发现突出了HAECD在保护大脑免受马拉硫磷诱导的神经毒性方面的潜力。
