Protective effects of Zygophyllum album extract against deltamethrin-induced hyperglycemia and hepato-pancreatic disorders in rats

The current study was designed to investigate the possible mechanism involved in hyperglycemia induced by chronic exposure to deltamethrin (DLM) in rat and to assess whether this damage is amenable to modulation by Zygophyllum album. DLM, a synthetic pyrethroid pesticide, was administrated at a dose of 4 mg/kg body mass, during 60 days. Compared with control, DLM showed a significant increase of blood glucose (p ≤ 0.01) and glycosylated hemoglobin levels (p ≤ 0.01) and a clear decrease (p ≤ 0.01) of insulin and total hemoglobin levels. In addition, hepatic glycogen content and the activity of hexokinase decreased (p ≤ 0.01), whereas the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and glycogen phosphorylase were significantly increased (p ≤ 0.01). Moreover, pancreatic lipid peroxidation (TBARS level) was higher (p ≤ 0.01) and oxidative stress biomarkers (SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH) were altered owing to DLM toxicity. However, Z. album, when combined with DLM, significantly ameliorated almost all the hepato-pancreatic ...