The Protective Effects of Malvidin Hydrochloride Against Fipronil-Induced Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Mice

Abstract

This study investigates the protective effects of malvidin hydrochloride (MLV) against fipronil (FPN)-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in mice. Control, FPN, and MLV groups received 0.9% NaCl with 0.1% DMSO, 5 mg/kg FPN, and 5 mg/kg MLV by gavage for 14 days. In the MLV + FPN group, MLV was administered 2 h before FPN for 14 days. Liver, kidney, and brain samples underwent biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses. FPN exposure led to significantly elevated serum AST, ALT, creatinine, and BUN levels compared to controls, while MLV + FPN co-treatment reduced these markers (p < 0.05). The MLV + FPN group also showed reduced MDA, NF-κB2, 8-OHdG, TNF-α, IL-1β levels, and iNOS2 and COX-2 activities, with increased SOD, CAT, GPx1 enzyme activities, GSH, and Nrf2 levels (p < 0.001). Tissue pathology was less severe in the MLV + FPN group, with reduced caspase-3, caspase-9, and Bax expressions and increased Bcl-2 expression (p < 0.001). Results indicate that MLV offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic protection against FPN-induced liver, kidney, and brain damage.