Small intestinal toxicity induced by imidacloprid in rats and the protective role of berberine and resveratrol

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Thesis Type: Postgraduate

Institution Of The Thesis: Gazi University, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Turkey

Approval Date: 2025

Thesis Language: Turkish

Student: Mohammed Adnan Khaleel JADO

Supervisor: Yusuf Kalender

Abstract:

Imidacloprid is one of the insecticides in the neonicotinoid group. Resveratrol and berberine are potent 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. The rats were divided into 7 groups. The groups were formed as follows. Control group, resveratrol (20 mg/kg), berberine (100 mg/kg), imidacloprid (9 mg/kg, 1/50LD50), imidacloprid plus resveratrol, imidacloprid plus berberine, imidacloprid plus resveratrol plus berberine treated groups. The substances were administered to rats by gavage for 28 days. At the end of the experimental period, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GPx GST), MDA levels and histopathologic changes were evaluated in small intestinal tissues obtained from rats. It was determined that MDA levels increased and antioxidant enzyme activities decreased in the intestinal tissue of rats treated with imidacloprid. Significant decrease in MDA level and significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activities were observed in imidacloprid plus resveratrol, imidacloprid plus berberine and imidacloprid plus resveratrol plus berberine groups compared to imidacloprid treated group. Histological findings showed that imidacloprid caused blunting, enlargement and cell infiltration in the rats small intestinal villi, while resveratrol and berberine reduced imidocloprid toxicity.

Key Words : Imidacloprid, berberine, resveratrol, small intestine, oxidative stress