Dichlorvos (Dich), an organophosphate substance, is widely used as an insecticide with various side effects on humans. Petroselinum crispum with antioxidant properties (PC) has many therapeutic benefits. This study examines the detoxification feature of PC on Dich-induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Sixty-four male Wistar rats were grouped into eight including sham (normal saline), Dich (4 mg/kg/day), PC 1, 2, 3 (100, 150, 200 mg/kg/day, respectively) and Dich+PC 1, 2, 3 (100, 150, 200 mg/kg/day, respectively). All treatments were applied intraperitoneally (i.p) at 10 A.M. daily for 4 weeks. A day after the last treatment, the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The histopathological changes and apoptosis processes were assessed by light and fluorescent microscopy methods. The serum levels of hepatic enzymes, nitrite oxide (NO), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were evaluated. Dich significantly increased NO level, hepatic enzymes activity, apoptosis, mean diameter of hepatocytes (DH), and central hepatic vein diameter (CHVD) and also decreased TAC, mean weight of liver, and a total weight of rats compared to the sham group (P < 0.01). In all doses of PC and Dich+PC groups, a significant decrease was detected in values of apoptosis, hepatic enzymes activity, NO level, mean DH, and CHVD while an increase in TAC level, means of liver weight, and a total weight of rats was observed compared to the Dich group (P < 0.01). PC by antioxidant property can recover the catastrophic liver changes induced by Dich administration.
