Journal de la science cellulaire et de la thérapie
Libre accès
ISSN: 2157-7013
ISSN: 2157-7013
Hala Elwy Hashem
Metalaxyl is a fungicide used to control soil-borne fungal diseases on fruits, cotton, soybean, peanuts and grasses. However, metalaxyl showed hazardous effects in animals. This study aimed to elucidate the histological, ultra structural alterations in the liver tissue caused by metalaxyl and to investigate the possible protective effects of Nigella Sativa (NS) against these alterations. Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into three equal groups. Group I (control), Group II (metalaxyl treated) received metalaxyl in a dose of 130 mg/kg/day 3 times per week for continuous 6 weeks. Group III (prophylactic group) received metalaxyl as group II in addition to oral Nigella Sativa (NS) in a daily dose of 400 mg/kg. At end of experiment, liver specimens were taken and processed for light and electron microscope examination. The histological study of the liver sections of metalaxyl treated group II showed necrotic and apoptotic changes in hepatocytes. Some central veins were congested and the blood sinusoids were ill-defined in between hepatocyte cords. The bile ducts of some portal tracts appeared with thickened wall and surrounded by cellular infiltrations. The liver sections of prophylactic group III appeared with more preserved histological structure except the presence of slightly congested central veins, and few hepatocytes with apoptotic nuclei. The statistical analysis of biochemical assay of serum and liver tissue of metalxyl treated animals, showed significant increase in oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) with significant decrease in antioxidants glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). However, there was significant increase in GSH with decrease in MDA and increase in GPx nearly to control levels in prophylactic group. Metalaxyl causes histopathological changes in liver most probably through oxidative stress. However, NS therapy could ameliorate these changes in liver most probably through its antioxidant properties. This may indicate the effectiveness of NS in prevention of metalaxyl hepatotoxicity.