Modulatory role of quercetin against chlorpyrifos induced blood toxicity in rats

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticide and has been reported to cause a number of serious deleterious effects on physiological systems. The present study was designed to evaluate the role of quercetin (QC) during CPF induced toxicity in blood cells. Female Wistar rats weighing 150–200 g were divided into four different groups viz: Normal Control, CPF treated (13.5 mg/kg body weight every alternate day), QC treated (50 mg/kg body weight/day) and combined CPF + QC treated. The effects of different treatments were studied on various hematological parameters as well as on anti-oxidant defense system. CPF treated animals showed a significant decrease in total leukocyte counts (TLC), lymphocyte counts, hemoglobin (Hb) levels and aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, which however showed appreciable improvement upon simultaneous treatment with QC. Contrarily, neutrophils counts were found to be significantly increased, which, however, were decreased upon simultaneous treatment with QC. Further, CPF exposure caused a significant increase in the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonyl content (PCC) as well as increased the activities of super oxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in blood, which were decreased on QC co-treatment. Moreover, CPF treatment also caused inhibition of glutathione system in blood but QC co-treatment was able to up-regulate the glutathione system. Therefore, the present study, suggests that QC unveils a protective potential in containing CPF induced blood toxicity.