THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION WITH HESPERIDIN IN DICHLORVOS-ASSOCIATED LUNG INJURY

Dichlorvos (DDVP), an organophosphate insecticide, is associated with pulmonary toxicity. This study evaluated the protective effects of hesperidin, a citrus flavonoid with antioxidant properties, against DDVP-induced lung damage in rats. Forty-two rats were assigned to seven groups (n = 6 each): control, DDVP alone (8 mg/kg/day), DDVP plus hesperidin (50 and 100 mg/kg/day), DDVP plus atropine (0.2 mg/kg/day), and hesperidin alone (50 and 100 mg/kg/day). DDVP was administered orally for one week, followed by two weeks of hesperidin treatment. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that hesperidin significantly (p < 0.05) reduced DDVP-induced elevations in pulmonary cholesterol, phospholipids, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde, while restoring triacylglycerol levels, reduced glutathione, and antioxidant enzyme activities including glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Histopathological examination confirmed amelioration of lung tissue damage. These findings suggest that hesperidin mitigates DDVP-induced pulmonary toxicity by alleviating oxidative stress and correcting lipid metabolism disturbances, highlighting its therapeutic potential against organophosphate-induced lung injury.