Protective Effect of Barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) Extract on Oxidative Stress and Behavioral Changes in Toxicity Induced by Diazinon in the Brain Tissue of Male Rats.

BACKGROUND: Diazinon (DZN) is a hazardous organophosphate pesticide that is applied to control insects, which causes oxidative damage in brain tissue. Barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) is a plant widely used in Asia for its therapeutic properties. OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the protective effects of B. vulgaris on DZN-induced brain damage in rats. METHOD: Twenty-four male rats, aged 5-7 weeks, were divided into four equal groups of six rats; the first group (control group) received corn oil. The second group was nourished with DZN (70 mg/kg). The third group was fed with barberry extract (200 mg/kg). The fourth group received both DZN (70 mg/kg) and barberry extract (200 mg/kg). All these processes were done orally for the duration of 28 days. Oral administration of corn oil, DZN, and barberry extract was done through gavage. Biomarkers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), was used to evaluate oxidative stress. After 28 days of treatment, on the morning of the 29th day, memory and behavioral activities tests were performed using the Y-Maze and open field test. In addition, the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining method was used for the study of histopathology. RESULTS: As expected, DZN remarkably increased the contents of MDA and TOS and also decreased the levels of TAC and SOD in brain tissue. Data indicated that DZN induced neurotoxicity through the impairment of memory and behavioral activities. Co-treatment with barberry extract reversed this oxidative stress, status, memory, and behavioral activities. Furthermore, barberry extract ameliorated brain histopathological injuries induced by DZN. Our findings confirmed that barberry extract had antioxidative effects against DZN toxicity. CONCLUSION: The present findings propose that barberry extract is a safe and promising agent for the treatment of toxicity induced by DZN.