Effects Of Ascorbic Acid and Silver Nanoparticles Against Pyrazole and Fipronil Induced Liver Toxicity in Gallus gallus Domesticus: A Comparative Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65761/pjcr.2026.342Keywords:
Chicken; Pyrazole; Fipronil; ALT; AST; ALP; Liver; Hepatotoxicity; Silver nanoparticles; Ascorbic acidAbstract
Background: The liver is a major metabolic and detoxification organ and is particularly susceptible to chemical-induced oxidative damage. Pyrazole compounds and the phenylpyrazole insecticide fipronil may induce hepatic injury, while antioxidant agents such as ascorbic acid and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) may provide protective effects.
Methods: A randomized experimental study was conducted using 90 healthy Gallus gallus domesticus (Asil breed) chicks aged 3–4 days and weighing 25–30 g. The chicks were randomly assigned to nine groups (n = 10 per group) and treated orally for 28 days. Group I served as the control and received 0.9% normal saline. Groups II–IV received pyrazole alone or in combination with ascorbic acid or AgNPs, respectively. Groups V and VI received ascorbic acid and AgNPs alone, respectively. Groups VII–IX received fipronil alone or in combination with ascorbic acid or AgNPs, respectively. Serum ALT, AST, and ALP were analyzed, while liver tissues were examined histopathologically.
Results: Pyrazole and fipronil increased serum AST, ALT, and ALP levels compared with the control group, with fipronil producing the greatest elevation in liver enzymes. Histopathological examination revealed hepatocellular degeneration, vascular congestion, and necrosis, particularly in the fipronil-treated group. Co-treatment with ascorbic acid reduced biochemical and histopathological alterations associated with both toxicants. AgNPs also produced protective effects, although their effects varied according to the toxicant and biochemical parameter. Significant positive correlations were observed among AST, ALT, and ALP.
Conclusions: Pyrazole and fipronil produced hepatotoxic effects in growing chicks, with fipronil showing greater toxicity. Ascorbic acid provided substantial protection against toxicant-induced hepatic injury, whereas AgNPs showed variable protective effects.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Laiba Saifullah, Fareeha Ambreen, Anas Bilal, Madeeha Chaudhry, Farzana Aziz, Rabea Ejaz, Muqaddas Raina
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