Ginger (Zingiber officinale) attenuates the neurotoxicity in rats induced by organophosphate pesticide

We are exposed to different chemicals in various ways in our daily life, and these can be toxic at minute concentrations. The pesticides used for different purposes are also toxic and may pose threat to life by inducing oxidative stress. Dichlorvos (DDVP) is an organophosphate pesticide used for various purposes and is also reported to be toxic. In this study, the neurotoxicity of DDVP exposure was studied. The role of ginger, Zingiber officinale (ZO), was also evaluated against the neurotoxic effects of DDVP. Forty-eight Wistar rats of both the sexes were used in this study. The rats were exposed to DDVP and post-treatment with ZO was given. The oxidative stress in terms of lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) levels were estimated after exposure and treatment. DDVP resulted in oxidative stress, evidenced by enhanced LPO level. The simultaneous reductions in other non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants were reported. The post-treatment with ZO led to a reduction in oxidative stress in rat brains. The levels of SOD, CAT, GSH, GR, and GPx were increased whereas declined levels of LPO were reported after treatment. Hence, ginger can help mitigate the pesticide toxicity through the up-regulation of antioxidant levels.