Exposure to pesticides may result in several health hazards including liver impairment which might be followed by impairment of brain functions or renal functions.
The current study was designed to test the beneficial effects of dietary supplement with Physalis peruviana and Punica granatum against toxicity induced by fenitrothion. The toxic effect of fenitrothion, 10 mg/kg/day, orally for 28 day) on liver, brain and kidney functions and the prophylactic effect of daily Physalis (15 % of diet) and Punica (3 ml/kg) for 42 days starting 14 days before fenitrothion were investigated.
Fenitrothion caused early impairment in liver functions accompanied by alteration in serum lipid profile and electrolyte level. Fenitrothion caused an elevation in liver ammonia then serum ammonia then brain ammonia. Both brain and kidney functions were impaired later. Fenitrothion caused a state of oxidative stress in liver, brain and kidney. Prophylaxis with Physalis, Punica or the standard hepatoprotective drug, silymarin largely ameliorated these deleterious effects which might be attributed to their antioxidant properties.
These results suggest that Physalis and Punica might be future candidates for use in the treatment of toxicity by pesticides and further research is required to identify the active ingredients responsible for these protective actions.