Small Intestinal Toxicity Induced by Imidacloprid in Rats and The Protective Role of Berberine and Resveratrol

Abstract

Imidacloprid is one of the insecticides in the neonicotinoid group. Resveratrol and berberine are powerful antioxidants known to alleviate the adverse effects of toxicity caused by oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential toxic effects of imidacloprid in the small intestinal tissues of rats and the protective effects of berberine and resveratrol against these effects. In the study, rats were divided into 7 groups. The groups were as follows: control group, resveratrol (20 mg/kg), berberine (100 mg/kg), imidacloprid (9 mg/kg.), imidacloprid plus resveratrol, imidacloprid plus berberine, imidacloprid plus resveratrol plus berberine. Test compounds were administered to rats by gavage for 28 days. At the end of the experimental period, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GST, and GPx) and MDA levels were evaluated in small intestinal tissues obtained from rats. At the end of the 28-day treatment period, it was determined that MDA level increased and antioxidant enzyme activities decreased in the intestinal tissue of rats treated with imidacloprid. However, when imidacloprid plus resveratrol plus berberberine treated group, imidacloprid plus resveratrol treated group and imidacloprid plus berberine treated group were compared with imidocloprid group, a significant decrease in MDA level and a significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activities were observed. Histological findings support the protective properties of resveratrol and berberine. The results of this study showed that berberine and resveratrol, which were administered to prevent damage caused by imidacloprid in the small intestine tissue of rats, showed a positive effect and improved the studied parameters.