The effect of deltamethrin insecticide on oxidative stress and liver function in albino male rats and the protective role of citrus peel extraction

Background: The study investigates the protective effects of citrus peel extracts (mandarin and lemon) against deltamethrin-induced liver and testicular toxicity in male rats.Methods: Forty-two male rats were divided into 7 groups: Group I (control), Group II (deltamethrin 6 mg/kg), Group III (deltamethrin + mandarin extract), Group IV (deltamethrin + mandarin oil), Group V (deltamethrin + lemon extract), Group VI (deltamethrin + lemon oil) and Group VII (deltamethrin + mandarin + lemon extract). The liver functions and oxidative stress were evaluated by testing biochemical markers (AST, ALT, ALP, SOD and MDA). Evaluation of tissue injury included histopathology of liver and testis.Result: In Group II, Deltamethrin treatment alone increased AST (198.36 U/L), ALT (123.02 U/L), ALP (97.35 U/L), and MDA (83.92 nmol/mL) and decreased SOD (4.72 U/mg) indicating oxidative stress and subsequent tissue damage due to Deltamethrin. In Groups III-VII, the use of citrus peel extracts improved all measured biochemical markers compared to Deltamethrin alone. Group III decreased AST levels to 180.55 U/L, ALT to 114.75 U/L, ALP to 95.49 U/L, and MDA to 75.97 nmol/mL, with SOD levels increasing to 5.95 U/mg. Other treatment groups also showed similar biochemical improvements. The greatest improvement was observed in Group VII (mandarin + lemon extract), showing a decreased AST (162.50 U/L), ALT (85.04 U/L), ALP (90.36 U/L), and MDA (54.98 nmol/mL) as well as an increase in SOD recovery (7.39 U/mg).Conclusion: The extracts of citrus peel reduced liver and testicular toxicity from deltamethrin exposure. The mixture of mandarin and lemon extract produced the most protective ability, due to restoring antioxidant imbalance and reducing biochemical and histological damage. These findings indicate that citrus peel extracts could be a potential natural agent against oxidative stress elicited by pesticide exposure.Keywords:Deltamethrin toxicity, Oxidative stress, Citrus peel extracts, Liver and testicular protection, Biochemical markers