Mitigating Bisphenol-Induced Neurotoxicity: Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Diosmin in Zebrafish Larvae

Neurological disorders are commonly accompanied by inflammation of the brain, which can be triggered by oxidative stress and cell damage caused by hazardous environmental substances. The ubiquitous harmful chemical bisphenol A (BPA) has been linked to several neuropsychiatric disorders and is thought to contribute to oxidative damage. This study explored the mechanisms underlying the effects of BPA on neurological health. Diosmin (DM) is a natural flavonoid (C₂₈H₃₂O₁₅) found in various plants, including citrus fruits and it possess various pharmacological activities. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of DM on BPA-induced neuroinflammation in zebrafish larvae, suggesting its potential therapeutic uses. Developmental toxicity, including mortality, hatching rate, and heart rate, was evaluated to determine DM toxicity. Oxidative stress biomarkers such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide anions (O^-2), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and nitric oxide (NO) were quantified using colorimetric assays in the head region of the larvae. Antioxidant enzyme activities were measured to assess the impact of DM on antioxidant defences. Neuroinflammation was evaluated by analysing pro-inflammatory markers using RT-qPCR, and motor neuron function was assessed using acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and behavioural assays. The findings indicate that exposure to DM prevents neurotoxicity induced by BPA by increasing antioxidant defence enzymes and reducing the levels of ROS, O^2-, LPO, and NO in the head region of zebrafish larvae. Furthermore, DM enhanced motor neuron function by increasing AChE activity and decreasing neuroinflammation by reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory markers influenced by BPA. This study suggests that DM offers neuroprotection against BPA-induced oxidative damage and neuroinflammation, thereby paving the way for the development of new treatment options for neurological disorders.