Investigating the Antioxidant Effects of Hesperidin on Liver Tissue in Mice with Acute Malathion Toxicity

Abdolahi Ziaaldini, Mohammad Amin; Yousefi, Nadia; Mohaqiq, Zabihullah; Shoorei, Hamed

doi:10.22118/jsmj.2026.554165.4048

Investigating the Antioxidant Effects of Hesperidin on Liver Tissue in Mice with Acute Malathion Toxicity

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mohammad Amin Abdolahi Ziaaldini ¹

Nadia Yousefi ¹

Zabihullah Mohaqiq ²

Hamed Shoorei ³

¹ Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.

² Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran..

³ Assistant Professor of Anatomical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

10.22118/jsmj.2026.554165.4048

Abstract

Background and Objectives Malathion is an organophosphate compound that can cause severe damage to organs such as the liver. It exerts its toxic effects through inhibition of cholinesterase and induction of oxidative stress. Hesperidin, a flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may have a protective role against this damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of hesperidin against acute malathion-induced liver injury in female Syrian mice.
Subjects and Methods In this experimental study, 32 female Syrian mice were randomly divided into four groups: negative control, malathion, hesperidin, and treatment (malathion + hesperidin). Malathion (3 mg/kg) and hesperidin (20 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally for 35 consecutive days. At the end of the treatment period, following anesthesia, cardiac blood sampling and liver tissue collection were performed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, with statistical significance set at (p<0.05).
Results In the malathion group, histopathological alterations in liver tissue were observed, and serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, and both total and direct bilirubin were significantly increased (P<0.05). In the treatment group, these markers were significantly reduced, and histological improvement of liver tissue was evident (P<0.05). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) decreased in the malathion group while it increased in the hesperidin and treatment groups (P<0.05). Additionally, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly elevated in the malathion group but significantly reduced in the malathion+hesperidin group (P<0.05).
Conclusion Malathion induced histopathological changes and enzymatic disturbances in the liver, whereas hesperidin effectively mitigated these effects. Therefore, hesperidin may serve as a protective agent against malathion-induced hepatotoxicity.

Keywords

Malathion

Hesperidin

Hepatic injury

Oxidative stress

Subjects