Effect of garlic extract and N-acetylcysteine against fenvalerate-induced oxidative stress in the serum and testis tissue of rat

Fenvalerate is a component of the pyrethroid pesticide induces oxidative stress. This study was done to determine the effect of garlic extract (GE) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against fenvalerate-induced oxidative stress in the serum and testis tissue of rat. In this experimental study, 42 Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 7 groups including: control group, sham group (normal saline), the first experimental group receiving NAC (80 mg/kg/bw), the second experimental group receiving fenvalerate (10 mg/kg/bw), the third experimental group receiving fenvalerate (10 mg/kg/bw) + garlic extract (40 mg/kg/bw), the fourth experimental group receiving fenvalerate (10 mg/kg/bw) + NAC (80 mg/kg/bw) and the fifth experimental group receiving fenvalerate (10 mg/kg/bw) + garlic extract (40 mg/kg/bw) + NAC (80 mg/kg/bw). Injection of fenvalerate was performed intraperitoneally for 7 consecutive days in animals of intervention groups. Afterwards, for 10 consecutive days, NAC and garlic extract were injected. In this study, 1/40 LD50 fenvalerate was used. The activity of the catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined in serum and testis tissue in all animals. MDA level of serum and testis tissue in fenvalerate group increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). The injection of NAC and garlic extract alone (P<0.05) as well as garlic extract in combination with NAC reduced MDA level of serum and testis tissue compared to fenvalerate group (P<0.05). Serum TAC level was significantly reduced in fenvalerate group compared to control (P<0.05). Serum TAC level was significantly increased in fenvalerate + GE group, fenvalerate + NAC group and fenvalerate + GE + NAC group compated to the fenvalerate group (P<0.05). GST activity of serum was significantly increased in fenvalerate group compared to control (P<0.05). GST activity of serum was significantly reduced in NAC, garlic extract and combination of NAC and garlic extact groups compared to fenvalerate group (P<0.05). In this animal model study, low dose (10 mg/kg/bw) fenvalerate induces oxidative stress. Garlic extract and N-acetylcysteine (alone and in combination) improve injures caused by fenvalerate.