Potential protective effect of Pistacia lentiscus oil against chlorpyrifos-induced hormonal changes and oxidative damage in ovaries and thyroid of female rats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of Pistacia lentiscus oil (PLO), known for its antioxidant properties, on chlorpyrifos (CPF)-induced alterations in the thyroid, reproductive hormone levels, and oxidative damage in the ovaries and thyroid of adult Wistar rats. The animals were treated with orally administered PLO (2 mL/kg), CPF (6.75 mg/kg), and a combination of CPF and PLO for 30 days. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone (Pg), estradiol (E2), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were assessed using chemiluminescence assay. Malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were examined in the ovaries and thyroid glands. The oil principal volatile compounds detected by gas chromatography analysis were: myrcene, alpha-pinene and limonene (26.21, 22.66 and 10.33%, respectively). No significant differences were observed between serum concentrations of TSH and FSH in the examined experimental groups. However, serum concentrations of LH, E2, Pg, T3, and T4 decreased significantly in CPF-treated rats in comparison with the controls. The body weight and relative weight of ovaries and thyroids in this group were also significantly reduced. The MDA and PC content increased significantly, while the GSH content was markedly depressed in the thyroid and ovaries of rats treated with CPF. Co-administration of PLO and CPF effectively ameliorated the adverse effects; the oxidative damage was reduced and the levels of thyroid and reproductive hormones restored to a normal range. In conclusion, it appears that PLO substantially alleviates the CPF-induced oxidative damage and hormonal alterations.