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Protective effect of melatonin on poisoning by herbicides

Abstract:

The inadequate use of herbicides may cause serious and sometimes chronic poisoning due to long exposure to low levels of toxic agents. Herbicides may also be teratogenic, mutagenic, cancerigenous agents and endocrine disruptors, with the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases and reproduction disorders. Several studies have shown that melatonin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating qualities, besides affecting the reproduction system. It is among the agents which are beneficent in poisoning by herbicides even though no reports are extant on the use of melatonin against poisoning by Glyphosate-Roundup® alone or associated with Paraquat. Solutions that prevent or minimize cell lesions caused by several biological systems have been focused upon in the treatment for poisoning with herbicides. Thus, melatonin, a known antioxidant, may be an alternative against the poisoning by single or associated herbicides.

Index Terms:
Herbicides; melatonin; herbicide poisoning

Colégio Brasileiro de Patologia Animal - CBPA Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, Caixa Postal 74.591, 23890-000 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 21) 2682-1081 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
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