Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences

Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences

Resveratrol mitigates diazinon-induced neurotoxicity during fetal brain development

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Amir Delavar 1
Nasim Alipour 2, 3
Javad Bagheri 2, 3
Raheleh Baradaran 4
Alireza Seddigh 5
Elham Feridouni 6
Yousef Baghcheghi 7
Fatemeh Rahimi Anbarkeh 8
1 Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Basic Medical Sciences, MMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
3 Innovative Medical Research Center, MMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
4 Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
5 Department of Advanced Technologies, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
6 Department of Biology, Gonbad Kavous University, Golestan, Iran
7 Bio Environmental Health Hazards Research Center, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
8 Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
10.22038/ijbms.2026.94088.20276
Abstract
Objective(s): Disruption of transcriptional programs governing fetal neurogenesis represents a critical but underexplored mechanism of diazinon (DZN)-induced developmental neurotoxicity. This research examines whether resveratrol (RV) influences the expression of genes associated with neurogenesis and survival after prenatal exposure to DZN.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-four pregnant Wistar rats were divided into DZN (40 mg/kg) group, RV (10 mg/kg), DZN+RV (40 mg/kg + 10 mg/kg), and Control. On day 21 of pregnancy, rats were cesarean sectioned, and the neonatal brains were examined using HPLC, GC-MS, real-time PCR, and histology techniques to assess RV’s neuroprotective effects against DZN-induced toxicity. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS and GraphPad Prism.
Results: DZN significantly reduced neuronal survival and altered gene expression in fetal brains, with lower Ptf1α, SOX2, BDNF, and BCL2 levels and higher BAX levels compared to controls. The simultaneous administration of RV partially restored these molecular changes. Histological findings indicated that RV mitigated neuronal damage associated with DZN, resulting in decreased dark neuron formation and preserved myelin integrity in the hippocampus and thalamus.
Conclusion: Collectively, these findings suggest that DZN exposure correlates with changes in the molecular and structural composition of the fetal brain, and that RV may help regulate these effects.

Graphical Abstract

Resveratrol mitigates diazinon-induced neurotoxicity during fetal brain development
Keywords
Apoptosis
Diazinon
Neurodevelopment
Neurogenesis
Neurotoxicity
Resveratrol
Transcription factors
Subjects
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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Volume 29, Issue 8
August 2026
Pages 1249-1258