Protective effects of rutin and quercetin against diazinon-induced toxicity in Wistar Rat Liver

Diazinon is extensively used as an insecticide or pesticide in agriculture. This insecticide can be absorbed by the human body through inhalation, oral ingestion, and skin, leading to human poisoning. The liver is the first organ affected by diazinon. The present study focused on the recovery of antioxidant biomarkers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH), in addition to the acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE), using two flavonoids, namely rutin and quercetin, in the rat liver. The antioxidant properties of these two compounds are well-established. The results show that both rutin and quercetin at a dosage of 200 mg/kg can reduce the malondialdehyde and improve the other markers and acetylcholinesterase, with quercetin being more effective. Quercetin, owing to its superior antioxidant activity and higher bioavailability compared to rutin, effectively restored antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and GSH) and AChE levels in the liver of diazinon-poisoned rats to near control values. The current study suggests that quercetin is a more effective therapeutic agent than rutin for mitigating diazinon-induced hepatic oxidative stress and toxicity by scavenging ROS, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and restoring redox homeostasis. Accordingly, quercetin can be considered as a potential treatment for diazinon poisoning. However, more animal, cellular, and clinical studies are necessary for prescribing and final approval for use in humans.