Muhammad Sajid1, Yasir Jamal2, Arooj Fatima3 , Muhammad Zaid4, and Minahil Shuakat5
1Department of Zoology, wildlife and fisheries University of Agriculture Faisalabad; 2Department of Biochemistry University of Agriculture Faisalabad; 3Department of Zoology, wildlife and fisheries University of Agriculture Faisalabad; 4Department of Biochemistry Government College University Faisalabad; 5kips College Faisalabad
*Corresponding author: m.sajidsahu123@gmail.com
Pyriproxyfen (PPF) is pesticide extensively used in agricultural field to control insects. High doses of PPF are associated with reproductive and developmental effects, such as decreased fertility, fetal abnormalities, and delayed puberty. PPF exposure is linked with hepatic and renal dysfunction due to oxidative stress in birds and rats. Lycopene (LYC) is a carotenoid extracted from tomatoes that have potential antioxidant properties. The recent experimental investigation was conducted to estimate the protective role of LYC against PPF-instigated liver damage in quails. Sixteen quails (Coturnix japonica) were categorized into four equal groups. Group-I was control group, Group II was treated with PPF (10 mg/kg B.W), Group III was co-treated with PPF (10 mg/kg B.W) and LYC (2 mg/kg B.W) and Group IV (positive group) was treated with LYC (2 mg/kg). After 30 days all birds were slaughtered. Blood plasma were collected in an EDTA tube. Hepatic damage markers, liver antioxidant enzymes, lipid profile, and histopathological parameters were evaluated. The exposure to PPF significant (P<0.05) increased in value of ALT, AST and ALP and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in PPF-treated group than control group. Moreover, the level of LDL, VLDL, cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly (P<0.05) increased than control group while the level of HDL significantly (P<0.05) decreased than control group. The body weight gained in PPF-treated group drop significantly (P<0.05) than control group. Furthermore, histopathological analysis showed that PPF considerably damaged the liver tissues. The current study revealed that PPF also induced behavioral abnormalities and non-significant difference in liver weight in quails. LYC reversed all the effects caused by PPF. The results of this study suggested that LYC can potentially alleviate PPF-induced liver damages due to its antioxidant and pro-inflammatory factor inhibitor as well as anti-apoptotic nature.