Protective Role of Hesperidin Against Deltamethrin-Induced Cardiovascular Structural Damage: Involvement of Caspase-3-Driven Apoptosis and Fibrosis Suppression in Rats

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Deltamethrin (DLM), a widely used pyrethroid insecticide, has been linked to cardiotoxic effects in non-target organisms. Hesperidin (HSP), a dietary bioflavonoid with antioxidant and cardioprotective properties, may counteract these effects. This study investigated the protective role of HSP against DLM-induced cardiotoxicity in male Wistar Albino rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups: Control, DLM, DLM + HSP 100, and DLM + HSP 300. At the end of the experiment, serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL levels were analyzed. Cardiac and aortic tissues were assessed histopathologically. Masson's trichrome staining evaluated cardiac fibrosis, Verhoeff-Van Gieson staining examined elastin and tunica media thickness, and caspase-3 expression in the aorta was determined immunohistochemically. Results: DLM administration caused cardiac and aortic damage by increasing IMA, glucose, caspase 3 activities, and tunica media thickness. HSP treatment, particularly at 300 mg/kg, reduced IMA (0.28 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.60 +/- 0.03 AU), glucose (141.12 +/- 11.70 vs. 207.06 +/- 9.85 mg/dL), cardiac histopathological damage score (2.17 +/- 0.41 vs. 9.02 +/- 1.35), tunica media thickness (95.29 +/- 4.29 vs. 114.95 +/- 17.20 & micro;m), and caspase-3 expression score (0.62 +/- 0.74 vs. 2.87 +/- 0.35). All results showed significance at the p < 0.05 level. Conclusions: HSP exhibited dose-dependent protective effects against DLM-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and cardiovascular injury, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic candidate against pesticide-related cardiotoxicity.