After spraying of maize plant, during cultivation with 14C-fenitrothion organo-phosphorus insecticide, the obtained seeds contain about 1.6 μg
insecticide/g seeds. The effect of subchronic feeding for 45 days of these harvested seeds on rats and the role of natural purslane herb extract in protection
against induced toxicity damage were studied. Analytical evaluations were performed by detecting erythrocyte and plasma cholinesterase activities, liver and
kidney functions and lipid profile. The assessment of feeding rats with treated seeds after 45 days led to an inhibition in cholinesterase enzyme activity
(ChE) over 40% in plasma and erythrocyte. The obtained results showed a significant elevation in the activity of liver enzyme 64% for alanine
aminotransferase (ALT), 58% for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and 35% for alkaline phosphatase (ALP), whereas a moderate decrease in levels of
albumin and total protein was observed. A moderate increase in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentration was also observed. The detection levels of
cholesterol and triglycerides showed a small increase (15%). On feeding rats with obtained maize seeds mixed with purslane herb (Portulaca oleracea L)
extract led to an increase in cholinesterase enzyme activity, albumin and total protein as well as a decrease in liver, kidney parameters and lipid profile.
These data suggest that purslane herb extract have a beneficial effect on reducing the toxicological effects induced by fenitrothion insecticide residues and
the protective individual for oxidative stress diseases38
.