Cypermethrin-Induced Lung Damage in Albino Rats: The Preventive Impact of Moringa oleifera

Abstract

Cypermethrin (CYP) is a popular environmental toxicant because of its wide-ranging use as a broad-band insecticide. The purpose of this research was to explore the potential impact of Moringa oleifera leaves extract (MOLE) as a protective agent against cypermethrin-induced lung toxicity in male albino rats. Forty experimental animals were allocated into four groups. G1 served as the negative control, G2, G3 and G4 were orally treated with MOLE (250 mg/kg body weight), CYP (26.15mg/kg body weight) and CYP + MOLE, respectively. CYP oral administration for 28 days elevated the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers like Malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase and caused a decline in the content of reduced glutathione in the lung tissue of the rats. Lung injury was verified by histopathological changes evidenced by interstitial pneumonia, marked perivasculitis, focal pulmonary hemorrhage, haemosidrosis and pulmonary edema in CYP-exposed rats. Co-administration of MOLE mitigated the induced oxidative stress and histopathological alterations. As a result, Moringa oleifera can prevent cypermethrin-induced lung toxicity due to its free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties.