Quercetin Ameliorates Clothianidin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats

Background & Objectives: Clothianidin, a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, has raised environmental and health concerns due to its potential toxicity. Quercetin, a flavonoid abundant in various dietary sources, exhibits potent antioxidant properties and effectively scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present study aimed to evaluate the potential protective effects of quercetin against clothianidin-induced cardiotoxicity in a rat model. Materials & Methods: Forty-two rats were randomly assigned to six groups: (1) Normal control group: rats received 0.9% NaCl intraperitoneally (IP); (2) Vehicle control group: rats were administered 5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) IP daily; (3) Clothianidin group: rats received clothianidin (20 mg/kg/day) every three days for 21 days (seven injections); (4–6) Treatment groups: rats received clothianidin as in group 3, concurrently with quercetin at doses of 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg IP daily for 35 days. Serum enzyme activities of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured. In cardiac tissue, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrate/nitrite levels were assessed. Histopathological evaluations of cardiac tissue were also conducted. Results: Clothianidin administration induced significant cardiac injury, evidenced by decreased TAC and increased levels of MDA, nitrate/nitrite, CK-MB, and LDH. Quercetin at a dose of 10 mg/kg significantly mitigated the cardiotoxic effects of clothianidin, as indicated by reduced CK-MB and LDH levels. Furthermore, quercetin enhanced TAC and reduced MDA and nitrate/nitrite concentrations in cardiac tissue compared to the clothianidin-only group. Conclusion: Histopathological and biochemical analyses suggest that quercetin at 10 mg/ kg exerts cardioprotective effects against clothianidin-induced toxicity, likely through its antioxidant mechanisms.