Keywords
organophosphate toxicity
oxidative stress
antioxidants
pharmacovigilance
Categories
How to Cite
Abstract
Organophosphate poisoning poses a significant health threat due to its ability to induce oxidative stress, cellular damage, and neurotransmitter disruption. Pharmacovigilance plays a crucial role in monitoring and preventing adverse effects associated with medical products, including responses to toxic exposure. This study aims to evaluate the protective role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against organophosphate-induced toxicity through a comprehensive literature review. The method employed includes a review of eight experimental studies conducted between 2017 and 2023, involving both in vivo (animal models) and in vitro (cell cultures and human samples) approaches. The results indicate that NAC significantly reduces oxidative stress biomarkers, enhances antioxidant enzyme activity, suppresses apoptosis, and restores inhibited cholinesterase activity. Moreover, NAC improves histopathological alterations in organs exposed to organophosphates, including the liver, kidneys, brain, and testes. In conclusion, NAC demonstrates strong therapeutic potential as a standalone or adjunct agent in managing organophosphate toxicity through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective mechanisms.
References
Adamczuk, P., Jamka, K., Bojar, H., Łukawski, K., & Raszewski, G. (2024). N-acetylcysteine as a potentially safe adjuvant in the treatment of neurotoxicity due to pirimiphos-methyl poisoning. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol, 135(2), 164-172.
Adamczuk, P., Jamka, K., Bojar, H., Szala-Rycaj, J., Szewczyk, A., Sawicki, K. B., & Raszewski, G. (2025). The effect of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine on cholinesterase activity in the brain and blood during Pirimiphos methyl poisoning in the course of treatment with atropine alone, and with atropine and obidoxime. Ann Agric Environ Med., 32(1), 116-121.
Alam, R. T., Imam, T. S., Abo-Elmaaty, A. M. A., & Arisha, A. H. (2019). Amelioration of fenitrothion induced oxidative DNA damage and inactivation of caspase-3 in the brain and spleen tissues of male rats by N-acetylcysteine. Life Sciences, 231(116534).
Atilgan, F. A., Atescelik, M., Yilmaz, M., Turk, A., Gurger, M., Goktekin, M. C., & Kuloglu, T. (2022). Effects of N-acetyl cysteine on TRPM2 expression in kidney and liver tissues following malathion intoxication. Biotech Histochem, 97(5), 340-346.
Bhardwaj, J. K., Saraf, P., Kumari, P., Mittal, M., & Kumar, V. (2018). N-Acetyl-cysteine mediated inhibition of spermatogonial cells apoptosis against malathion exposure in testicular tissue. J Biochem Mol Toxicol, 32(4).
Dhillon, T., Kumar, A., & Kumar, V. (2022). Neuroprotective Effect of N-acetylcysteine Against Monocrotophos-Induced Oxidative Stress in Different Brain Regions of Rats. Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 194(9), 4049-4065.
Jallouli, M., El Bini Dhouib, I., Dhouib, H., Lasram, M., Gharbi, N., & El Fazaa, S. (2016). Disruption of steroidogenesis after dimethoate exposure and efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in rats: an old drug with new approaches. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int., 23(8), 7975-84.
Liu, Q., Tang, X., Wang, Y., Yang, Y., Zhang, W., Zhao, Y., & Zhang, X. (2019). ROS changes are responsible for tributyl phosphate (TBP)-induced toxicity in the alga Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Aquat Toxicol., 208, 168-178.
Mahmoud, S. M., Abdel Moneim, A. E., Qayed, M. M., & El-Yamany, N. A. (2019). Potential role of N-acetylcysteine on chlorpyrifos-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 26(20), 20731-20741.
Mohammadi, H., Jalilian, J., Karimi, M. Y., & Shetab-Boushehri, S. V. (2017). In Vitro Cysteine Reactivates Organophosphate Insecticide Dichlorvos-Inhibited Human Cholinesterases. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J., 17(3), e293-e300.
Shieh, P., Jan, C., & Liang, W. (2019). The protective effects of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against oxidative stress-associated apoptosis evoked by the organophosphorus insecticide malathion in normal human astrocytes. Toxicology, 417, 1-14.
Syakri, S., Fitrah, M., & Nurjayanti. (2018). Pharmacovigilance Evaluation of Hypertension Treatment at Syekh Yusuf Gowa Regional General Hospital. Jf Fik Uinam, 6(1).
Utami, A. R., Sitompul, D. T., & Thomas, F. (2023). Review Article: Oxidative Stress and its Diseases. ResearchGate.
Sintaningrum, E. P., Saputro, I. D., & Zarasade, L. (2021). Effect of Oral N-Acetylcystein on Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Vegf) and Fibroblast Growth Factor (Fgf) Patterns. Journal of Reconstruction & Aesthetics, 6(2), 1.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 aurelie_reginia iteh, Primayanti Nurul Ilmi, Amara Ayu Karlina, Bimo Asrul Seno, Femmita Alifa Yushanti, Haurannisa Zidny, Na’Ilah Faizah Saifani Archam, Pirda Baroqah, Tisya Mayra Arsalna Poetri, Vivian Xaviera Azzahra