Exploring the Protective Potential of <i>Salvia officinalis</i> Essential Oil Against Lambda‐Cyhalothrin‐Induced Liver Injury and Oxidative Stress in Male Rabbits: Biochemical and Histopathological Assessment

Exposure to synthetic pesticides such as Lambda-cyhalothrin poses a significant risk to liver health by inducing reactive oxygen species and triggering inflammation. Essential oils have been suggested as a natural approach to counteract these harmful effects due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to combine chemical characterization (GC-MS) and biological evaluation of Salvia officinalis essential oil to explore its hepatoprotective potential against Lambda-cyhalothrin-induced liver toxicity in male rabbits. Salvia officinalis essential oil was chemically characterized using (GC-MS). Accordingly, Forty male Cuniculus lepus rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 each): Control (tap water), Salvia officinalis essential oil (250 mg/kg diet), Lambda-cyhalothrin (50 mg/kg diet), and a combination of both treatments. GC-MS analysis revealed that Salvia officinalis essential oil belongs to a cineole-type chemotype. Rabbits exposed to Lambda-cyhalothrin showed marked hepatic damage, including hepatocyte degeneration, vacuolization, inflammatory infiltration, central vein dilation, and cytoplasmic rarefaction. Biochemical analysis revealed significant elevations in C-reactive protein, bilirubin, AST, ALT, and ALP (p < 0.05), with decreased direct bilirubin and GGT. Oxidative stress was confirmed by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) activity. Co-administration of Salvia officinalis essential oil significantly ameliorated these alterations, restoring biochemical markers and hepatic architecture. These findings highlight the hepatoprotective and antioxidant role of Salvia officinalis essential oil in preventing liver injury induced by Lambda-cyhalothrin, suggesting its potential in mitigating pesticide-related toxicity.