Induction of neurotoxicity by organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos and modulating role of cow urine

INTRODUCTION: Organophosphate pesticides are among the most widely used synthetic chemicals for controlling a wide variety of pests and for domestic purposes. Among these chlorpyrifos (CPF) is the most extensively used pesticide throughout the world, including India. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to examine the neurotoxicity induced by CPF and modulatory effect of cow urine as a natural antioxidant alternative to reduce the neurotoxic effects of CPF. DESIGN: For this purpose LD(50) was determined and one fourth of LD(50) was selected (38 mg/kg body weight (b.wt)) for treatment of rats. The antioxidant level of cow urine was determined by ABTS assay. RESULTS: Exposure to pesticides resulted in significant reduction in the acetylcholinestrase (AChE) activity (P ≤ 0.01). However, groups pretreated with cow urine had improved levels of AChE activity as compared to CPF treated groups. CONCLUSION: Thus, the present findings clearly show that oral CPF has the propensity to cause significant neurotoxicity in rat brains while cow urine treatment alleviates CPF induced toxicity to a greater extent. In addition, AChE can be used as a potential biomarker of toxicity associated with pesticide exposure.