Assessment of Thymus numidicus and Lavandula stoechas Essential Oils Effects on Deltamethrin-Induced Toxicity in Female Rabbits

Abstract

Thymus numidicus and Lavandula stoechas are aromatic and medicinal plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family. They are widespread in Algeria and used in traditional medicine and in the culinary arts. Deltamethrin is a chemical compound belonging to the pyrethroid family. It is mainly used as an insecticide and repellent for insects or snakes due to its neurotoxic properties. This study aims to evaluate the protective effects of Thymus numidicus (TNEO) and Lavandula stoechas (LSEO) essential oils against deltamethrin-induced toxicity in female rabbits. The chemical composition and biological activities of these two essential oils were assessed beforehand. The GC/MS analysis revealed that both essential oils are rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes. In TNEO, the major compounds identified were thymol and carvacrol, whereas in LSEO, fenchone and camphor. The antibacterial activity results showed that TNEO exhibited strong inhibitory effects against Gram-positive bacteria, while its activity was lower against Gram-negative strains. On the other hand, LSEO demonstrated moderate antibacterial activity against both Gram+ and Gram- bacteria. The administration of deltamethrin at 1.28mg/kg/day for 14 days induced significant hematological, biochemical, and histopathological damage in both the liver and kidneys of female rabbits. The combination of Thymus numidicus and Lavandula stoechas essential oils exhibited a remarkable protective effect against the biochemical and histopathological alterations caused by deltamethrin exposure.