Hepatoprotective effect of geraniol against chlorpyrifos ethyl-induced liver injury: an experimental animal study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the possible hepatotoxic effect of chlorpyrifos ethyl, which may pose a potential danger to the environment and human health, on liver, oxidant and antioxidant parameters and the hepatoprotective role of geraniol against this effect.

Methods: Thirty-two Wistar albino male rats were included in the study. The study continued for 28 days. Rats were divided into four equal groups: Control, chlorpyrifos ethyl (CE), geraniol and CE + geraniol. CE was applied to induce liver injury, while geraniol was administered by oral gavage. To assess liver injury, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were analyzed from blood serum samples. In addition, liver injury was assessed at the tissue level by analyzing malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels and oxidative stress index (OSI) in homogenate supernatants obtained from liver tissue. To determine the possible hepatoprotective effect of geraniol, it was examined whether the changes in these parameters returned to normal. In addition, catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant status (TAS) analyses were performed to assess antioxidant status. MDA, catalase CAT, TAS, TOS and 8-OHdG levels were analyzed by spectrophotometric methods.

Results: Parameters related to liver injury(ALT, AST, ALP, TOS, OSI, MDA and 8-OHdG) were higher, and TAS and CAT levels were lower in rats given only CE compared to the control group and the geraniol group. In this context, CE caused liver injury while also suppressing the antioxidant system. On the other hand, rats given CE + geraniol had lower liver injury-related parameters ALT, AST, ALP, TOS and OSI levels, and higher TAS and CAT levels than those given only CE. In this context, CE-induced liver injury was ameliorated with geraniol, and an increase was provided in the decreased antioxidant parameters.

Conclusion: Geraniol supplementation showed protective effects in ameliorating CE exposure-induced liver injury and antioxidant system suppression.