Methanol Leaf Extract of Diospyros Chloroxylon Attenuates Chlorpyrifos-Induced Toxicity in Rats

Background and Objective: Chlorpyrifos [O, O-diethyl-O-(3, 5, 6-trichloro-2-pyridyl)-phosphorothioate] (CPF) is a broad-spectrum Organophosphate insecticide that are used in many farms and homes. Despite the several reported toxicity in humans, there has been virtually no alternative effective insecticide. Thus, the amelioration of the toxicities seems the best option in alternative medicine. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of methanol extract of Diospyros chloroxylon leaf (MEDCL) on the brain and heart of rats exposed to CPF. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four rats were randomized into four groups of 6 rats each, and treated separately with distilled water (Control), CPF (5 mg/kg), MEDCL (100 mg/kg) and MEDCL (100 mg/kg) + CPF (5 mg/kg), following 7 days of acclimatization. After 4 weeks of treatments, the rats were sacrificed, and the levels of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and DNA fragmentation were spectrophotometrically assessed in the brain and heart, while Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities were assessed in the serum and brain of the rats. Results: The results showed that CPF significantly reduced the levels of SOD, CAT, GSH, GPx and GST, while that of MDA was elevated in brain and heart, compared with controls. Treatment with CPF significantly lowered the activities of AChE in serum and brain by 94% and 48% respectively, while the level of DNA fragmentation was significantly elevated in the CPF-treated rats. Supplementation with MEDCL significantly ameliorated the changes in the rats. Conclusion: From the foregoing, the suppressive potential of methanol extract of Diospyros chloroxylon leaf is marked indicated in brain and cardiac redox imbalance induced on exposure to Chlorpyrifos. DNA-damaging effects induced by chlorpyrifos in