Momordica Foetida (Cucurbitaceae) Extract Alleviates Parastar (Insecticide) -Induced Toxicity on Pancreatic and Duodenal α-amylase Activity in Male Rats

Abstract

Parastar is a pesticide formulation made up of two insecticides lamda-Cyhalothrin and Imidacloprid. Parastar is one of the frequently used agrochemicals in the North West Region of Cameroon to protect crops. However, exposures to pesticides resulting in health alteration as well as therapeutic effects of medicinal plants have been largely acknowledged. One of such plants is <em>Momordica foetida</em>, which exhibits antidiabetic and antioxidant properties, suggesting its possible efficiency in toxicity alleviation. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Parastar on pancreatic and duodenal α-amylase activity, and assess the protective effects of the methanol extract of <em>M. foetida</em> in albino male rats. Groups of 8 rats each were orally intubated with either distilled water (5 mL/kg), Parastar (6.23 mg/kg) alone or combination of Parastar and <em>M. foetida</em> (50 - 200 mg/kg) daily for 64 days. Once the follow-up period was over, animals were sacrificed, the pancreas and duodenum excised out and weighed. The pancreatic and duodenal homogenates were prepared and used for assessment of α-amylase activity. Results revealed increased pancreas weight in animals treated with Parastar. However, the latter variation was prevented when the animals were co-administered with <em>M. foetida</em> extract and the pesticide. Parastar decreased pancreatic and duodenal α-amylase activity, which was also prevented by co-treatment of the animals with the methanol extract of <em>M. foetida</em>. These findings highlight the toxicity of Parastar on pancreatic and duodenal functions and support the use of <em>M. foetida </em>in protecting against alteration of the digestive system by the pesticide.