Modulation of xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme activities in rat liver by co-administration of morin, endosulfan, and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene.

Morin is a flavonoid which is present in many plants. Endosulfan and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) are toxic chemicals that humans are exposed to in their daily lives. In this study, the protective role of morin was investigated in endosulfan and DMBA treated rats. Eight groups, each comprising seven 2.5-month-old adult male Wistar rats (weighing 170-255 g), were used. Endosulfan, morin, and DMBA were administered individually or in combinations, at 5 mg/kg body weight (bw) (three times/week), 25 mg/kg bw (three times/week), and 30 mg/kg bw (once/week for three weeks) via oral gavage, respectively. On day 54 of the administration period, the rats were killed. DMBA + endosulfan co-administration significantly increased CYP1A1-, CYP1A2-, CYP2E-, and GST-associated activities in the rats compared to the control. DMBA + endosulfan + morin significantly increased CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP3A, and GST associated activities in the rats relative to the control. Histopathological studies were performed to investigate protective effects of morin on liver damage. The results indicated that DMBA + endosulfan treatment induced liver damage, and morin reduced this damage. These findings suggest that CYP1A, CYP3A, and GST enzyme activities participate in the protective mechanism of morin against endosulfan and DMBA induced toxicity.