Determination of the effects of ferulic acid against malathion-induced oxidative stress in rats

Malathion is a widely used organophosphate pesticide. While this substance has benefits in the agricultural field, its unconscious use may also cause harm that will adversely affect public health and the ecosystem. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of ferulic acid in rats that caused oxidative stress with malathion. In the study, 42 Wistar Albino Rats were used and six different groups were formed; Group 1 was determined as negative control, Group 2 as oil group, Group 3 as positive control (27 mg/kg malathion was given orally for 30 days). In addition, the other 4th, 5th, and 6th groups were administered orally, once a day for 30 days, with 27 mg/kg malathion and ferulic acid was applied by gastric gavage at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg, and 50 mg/kg per day, respectively. As a result of the study that lasted for 30 days, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT), lipid peroxidation (MDA), glutathione (GSH) values were analyzed and histopathological examinations were performed in blood, heart, liver, kidney, brain, lung and testes tissues taken from rats. In addition, molecular analysis of IFN-γ, TNF-α and NFkB proinflammatory genes was performed from liver and kidney tissue samples taken from rats. Malathion application caused a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities. In addition, malathion administration caused a decrease in glutathione levels and increased lipid peroxidation levels. It caused an increase in the expression levels of proinflammatory genes and caused histopathological changes in tissues. Ferulic acid administration reversed these negative effects and the highest effect was seen at 50 mg/kg dose. As a result of the study, it was determined that ferulic acid, a natural antioxidant, has a protective effect against oxidative stress induced by malathion.