Abstract:
Introduction: The extensive use of dichlorvos, an organophosphate insecticide, in households and agricultural settings remains a public health concern due to its potential to induce multiorgan toxicity.
Aims: This study investigated the histoprotective effects of quercetin and naringin against dichlorvos-induced histopathological alterations in rats.
Materials and Methods: Eighty rats were randomly assigned to ten experimental groups (n=8). Following treatment, the brain, liver, kidney, and heart tissues were processed using standard histological techniques and examined under a light microscope after hematoxylin and eosin staining.
Results: Rats exposed to dichlorvos exhibited marked histopathological lesions, including neuronal degeneration, hepatocellular distortion, cardiomyocyte degeneration, architectural disorganisation, and glomerular and tubular damage in the kidneys. Quercetin administration markedly attenuated these histological alterations and improved tissue architecture across the examined organs. In contrast, naringin treatment produced only partial protection, with persistent degenerative changes, particularly in the brain, liver, and kidney.
Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the superior histoprotective efficacy of quercetin against dichlorvos-induced organ damage and suggest its potential therapeutic role in mitigating organophosphate-associated toxicity.