Research Article

Safranal Attenuates Malathion-Induced Oxidative Stress and AChE Inhibition Across Blood, Hepatic, Renal, and Brain Matrices

Volume: 15 Number: 3 August 23, 2026
EN TR

Safranal Attenuates Malathion-Induced Oxidative Stress and AChE Inhibition Across Blood, Hepatic, Renal, and Brain Matrices

Abstract

Organophosphate pesticides, particularly malathion, are widely used in agriculture but pose severe toxicity risks to non-target organisms through acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme inhibition and the induction of oxidative stress. This study investigated the potential protective effects of safranal, a primary bioactive component of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, against malathion-induced systemic and tissue-specific toxicity. Experimental groups were evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and GPx (glutathione peroxidase) levels, alongside AChE enzyme activity in the blood, liver, kidney, and brain tissues. The findings demonstrated that malathion exposure caused profound toxicity characterized by severe AChE inhibition, accelerated lipid peroxidation, elevated NO levels, and a critical depletion of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses across all analyzed matrices. Conversely, safranal administration served as an effective therapeutic intervention. It mitigated oxidative damage, limited the exhaustion of key antioxidant enzymes by reducing reactive oxygen species, and supported the preservation of AChE functionality. Notably, safranal’s protective efficacy exhibited tissue-dependent variations; while it significantly attenuated oxidative stress markers and preserved cellular viability in the plasma, liver, and renal matrices, it demonstrated limited protective capacity in brain tissue under the current experimental conditions. In conclusion, safranal represents a promising bioactive countermeasure against organophosphate-induced systemic injury. However, further research is warranted to elucidate its precise transport mechanisms and potential limitations in crossing the blood-brain barrier.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research did not receive any specific support from funders in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors.

Ethical Statement

The experimental protocol was approved by Animal Experiments Local Ethics Committee of Afyon Kocatepe University (Decision No: B.30.2.AKÜ.0.A2.00.00/249, Date: 09.11.2012).

Thanks

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Afyon Kocatepe University and also Çay Vocational School and Faculty of Science and Arts for providing the necessary laboratory facilities and institutional support for this research. We also extend our sincere thanks to our master's students for their valuable technical assistance and dedication during the experimental stages of this study.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 23, 2026

Submission Date

June 5, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 26, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 3

APA
Büyükben, A., Hazman, Ö., Aksoy, L., & Karabağ, F. (2026). Safranal Attenuates Malathion-Induced Oxidative Stress and AChE Inhibition Across Blood, Hepatic, Renal, and Brain Matrices. Animal Health Production and Hygiene, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.53913/aduveterinary.1963518
AMA
1.Büyükben A, Hazman Ö, Aksoy L, Karabağ F. Safranal Attenuates Malathion-Induced Oxidative Stress and AChE Inhibition Across Blood, Hepatic, Renal, and Brain Matrices. Animal Health, Prod and Hyg. 2026;15(3). doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.1963518
Chicago
Büyükben, Ahmet, Ömer Hazman, Laçine Aksoy, and Funda Karabağ. 2026. “Safranal Attenuates Malathion-Induced Oxidative Stress and AChE Inhibition Across Blood, Hepatic, Renal, and Brain Matrices”. Animal Health Production and Hygiene 15 (3). https://doi.org/10.53913/aduveterinary.1963518.
EndNote
Büyükben A, Hazman Ö, Aksoy L, Karabağ F (August 1, 2026) Safranal Attenuates Malathion-Induced Oxidative Stress and AChE Inhibition Across Blood, Hepatic, Renal, and Brain Matrices. Animal Health Production and Hygiene 15 3
IEEE
[1]A. Büyükben, Ö. Hazman, L. Aksoy, and F. Karabağ, “Safranal Attenuates Malathion-Induced Oxidative Stress and AChE Inhibition Across Blood, Hepatic, Renal, and Brain Matrices”, Animal Health, Prod and Hyg, vol. 15, no. 3, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.53913/aduveterinary.1963518.
ISNAD
Büyükben, Ahmet - Hazman, Ömer - Aksoy, Laçine - Karabağ, Funda. “Safranal Attenuates Malathion-Induced Oxidative Stress and AChE Inhibition Across Blood, Hepatic, Renal, and Brain Matrices”. Animal Health Production and Hygiene 15/3 (August 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.53913/aduveterinary.1963518.
JAMA
1.Büyükben A, Hazman Ö, Aksoy L, Karabağ F. Safranal Attenuates Malathion-Induced Oxidative Stress and AChE Inhibition Across Blood, Hepatic, Renal, and Brain Matrices. Animal Health, Prod and Hyg. 2026;15. doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.1963518.
MLA
Büyükben, Ahmet, et al. “Safranal Attenuates Malathion-Induced Oxidative Stress and AChE Inhibition Across Blood, Hepatic, Renal, and Brain Matrices”. Animal Health Production and Hygiene, vol. 15, no. 3, Aug. 2026, doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.1963518.
Vancouver
1.Ahmet Büyükben, Ömer Hazman, Laçine Aksoy, Funda Karabağ. Safranal Attenuates Malathion-Induced Oxidative Stress and AChE Inhibition Across Blood, Hepatic, Renal, and Brain Matrices. Animal Health, Prod and Hyg. 2026 Aug. 1;15(3). doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.1963518