Studies on ameliorative potentials of quercetin nanoparticles against imidacloprid induced subacute genotoxicity and histopathological alteration in Swiss albino mice.

Abstract

Objective: Genotoxicity assays include micronucleus test, comet assay, and malformed sperm head used to investigate the protective potential of quercetin (Que) and Que nanoparticles against imidacloprid (IMI)-induced genotoxicity in Swiss albino mice.

Methods: The ionic gelation procedure was used to synthesize the Que nanoparticles and characterized for their hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR, and encapsulation efficiency. A total of 48 mice were taken in eight groups with six animals in each group. Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 received 3% gum acacia, 22 mg/kg IMI, 25 mg/kg Que and 25 mg/kg Que nanoparticles high dose (QNPs (HD)), respectively. Groups 5, 6, 7, and 8 received 22 mg/kg IMI + 25 mg/kg Que (IMI + Que), 22 mg/kg IMI + 25 mg/kg Que nanoparticles (IMI + QNPs (HD)), 22 mg/kg IMI + 12.5 mg/kg Que nanoparticle medium dose (IMI + QNPs (MD)), and 22 mg/kg IMI + 6.25 mg/kg Que nanoparticles low dose (IMI + QNPs (LD)), respectively.

Results: The IMI causes genotoxicity in bone marrow cells by increasing the frequency of micronuclei and the comet tail length. Additionally, IMI is mutagenic to germ cells, as determined by a test for aberrant sperm heads. Both Que and Que nanoparticles lessen the genotoxicity that IMI induces when administered together or separately. Histopathological findings also revealed degenerative changes in bone marrow and testes in IMI administered group as compared to control.

Conclusion: Quercetin and Que nanoparticles showed marked ameliorative effect by restoring the degenerative changes produced by IMI.