Deltamethrin was thought to be one of the safest pyrethroid insecticides and is being used in agriculture and home appliances. Apigenin has several beneficial and pharmacological effects. It is a natural flavonoid that is found in many plants. Vitamin E, fat soluble vitamin, is a well known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. The present study was performed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of both apigenin and vitamin E against deltamethrin toxicity in rats.
Administration of deltamethrin (5 mg/kg) orally for 30 days in rats revealed a significant increase in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels while significantly decreased albumin level as compared to control rats. Furthermore, deltamethrin induced apoptotic markers including caspase-3 and first apoptosis signal receptor ligand (FAS-L). Concomitant administration of apigenin (10 or 20 mg/kg), vitamin E (100 mg/kg) or combination of both apigenin (20 mg/kg) in combination with vitamin E (100 mg/kg) for the same period normalized most of the altered biochemical parameters. These results suggest that apigenin and vitamin E administration can protect the liver from deltamethrin intoxication.