Sarfraz_2026_Res.Vet.Sci_206_106187

Deltamethrin (DM), a highly effective synthetic pyrethroid, has been associated with neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and pronounced oxidative stress, primarily through the generation of reactive oxygen species that damage cellular components. The present study integrates in silico molecular modelling with in vivo experimentation using a Japanese quail model to evaluate the toxic effects of DM and the protective potential of Moringa oleifera (MO) flavonoids, namely quercetin and kaempferol. In silico analysis revealed that DM possesses high predicted toxicity, whereas MO flavonoids exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic properties, lower toxicity, and strong binding affinities (up to -9.7 kcal/mol) toward key targets including acetylcholinesterase (AChE), caspase-3, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), suggesting their potential to modulate oxidative stress and apoptosis. Functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction analyses further highlighted oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species metabolism, and apoptotic signaling as central mechanisms underlying DM toxicity. For in vivo evaluation, Japanese quails were fed a basal diet supplemented with 30 mg/kg DM as a positive control (PC) group, along with diets containing MO (0.3-0.7 g/kg) for 42 days. The PC group exhibited significant impairment in growth performance and hematological parameters, severe hepato-renal injury (elevated AST, ALT, creatinine, and urea), and marked oxidative stress (increased MDA with decreased SOD and CAT activities). Dietary supplementation with MO, particularly at 0.7 g/kg, resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) and dose-dependent improvement in growth performance, normalization of hematobiochemical parameters, and restoration of antioxidant defense systems. These findings corroborate computational predictions and demonstrate that MO flavonoids effectively mitigate DM-induced toxicity by reducing oxidative stress, enhancing antioxidant defenses, and inhibiting apoptosis. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of MO at 0.7 g/kg acts as a potent natural phytogenic intervention against DM-induced oxidative damage, organ dysfunction, and performance decline, supporting its application in environmental and clinical toxicology.