Improvement by Satureja khuzestanica essential oil of malathion-induced red blood cells acetylcholinesterase inhibition and altered hepatic mitochondrial glycogen phosphorylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities

The aim of this study was to examine whether Satureja khuzestanica (Lamiaceae) essential oil (SKEO) might have protective effects on toxicity of malathion, a commonly used organophosphorus (OP), by measuring the activities of hepatic cells mitochondrial glycogen phosphorylase (GP) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) activities and blood levels of glucose and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in rats. Malathion (20 mg/kg/day) and SKEO (225 mg/kg/day) were administered alone or in combination by intragastric intubation for 28 days. Treatment by malathion increased blood glucose as measured at days 18 and 28 of treatment. Malathion inhibited erythrocyte AChE and increased hepatic cells GP and PEPCK activities. Coadministration SKEO resulted in restoration of malathion-induced changes in hepatic cells GP and PEPCK activities and levels of blood AChE and glucose. It is concluded that SKEO interferes with malathion-induced stimulation of hepatic cells glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis through its antioxidant potential and increasing AChE activity.