A subchronic low-dose exposure of a glyphosate-based herbicide induces depressive and anxious-like behavior in mice: quercetin therapeutic approach

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2021-12, Vol.28 (47), p.67394-67403
• Main Authors: Bicca, Diogo Ferreira, Spiazzi, Cristiano Chiapinotto, Ramalho, Juliana Bernera, Soares, Melina Bucco, Cibin, Francielli Weber Santos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetylcholinesterase; Animals; Antioxidants; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Behavior; Central nervous system; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Evaluation; Exposure; Flavonoids; Glutathione; Glycine - analogs & derivatives; Glycine - toxicity; Glyphosate; Herbicides; Herbicides - toxicity; Hippocampus; Markers; Mice; Neurological diseases; Neuroprotection; Oxidative stress; Pesticides; Quercetin; Research Article; Sucrose; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15402-3

In this study, we investigated the possible role of pesticide exposure in contributing to neurological diseases such as depression. Here, we evaluated whether a subchronic low dose of a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) could induce alterations in the central nervous system, using the flavonoid quercetin as a therapeutic strategy. Forty mice were divided into four treatment groups: control, GBH, quercetin, and GBH+Quer groups and received 50 mg/kg of GBH solution, 30 mg/kg of quercetin, and/or vehicles for 30 days via gavage. After performing behavioral tests, such as the open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM), forced swim test (FST), and sucrose preference test (SPT), the mice were euthanized and their hippocampal tissues were collected to measure the levels of oxidative stress markers such as reactive species (RS), total antioxidant capacity (FRAP), reduced glutathione (GSH), and acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE), as well as for histological evaluation. The GBH group showed anxious and depressive-like behavior in the EPM and FST tests, as well as increased levels of RS and decreased GSH levels in the hippocampus. Quercetin treatment in the GBH+Quer group allowed partial or total improvement in behavioral tests (EPM and FST) and in the levels of oxidative stress markers (RS and GSH). However, the quercetin group showed similar behavior to the GBH group after treatment. The results revealed that oral exposure to a subchronic low dose of GBH was capable of promoting effects on behavior and oxidative stress in the hippocampus of mice. In addition, despite quercetin having a neuroprotective role, caution is needed when considering the possible per se effects of its continuous supplementation.