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Clinical Evaluation of Pistacia lentiscus L. Extract in Mitigating Flupyradifurone toxicity in Apis mellifera: Survival and Symptom Progression
1 , 1 , 1 , * 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 4 , 5 , 1 , 1 , 1
1  Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
2  Mediterranean Ethnobotanical Conservatory, Sersale (CZ), 88054 Catanzaro, Italy
3  Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Cosenza, Italy
4  Territorial Pharmaceutical Service, Local Health Autorithy (ASL) Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy
5  Andrology Unit and Service of LifeStyle Medicine in UroAndrology, Local Health Authority (ASL) Salerno, Coordination Unit of the Network for Environmental and Reproductive Health (EcoFoodFertility Project), “S. Francis Hospital”, 84124 Oliveto Citra (SA),
Academic Editor: Michael Hässig

Abstract:

Pesticide exposure is a critical concern for honeybee health. Flupyradifurone (FPF) is widely used in agriculture but has been associated with neurotoxic effects in honeybees (Apis mellifera), including impaired motor coordination, hyperactivity, and lethargy. Given the growing need for protective strategies, natural antioxidants such as polyphenolic extracts have gained attention for their potential to mitigate pesticide-induced toxicity. Pistacia lentiscus has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in mammalian models, but its protective role in honeybees remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate whether Pistacia lentiscus leaf polyphenolic extract (LPE) could reduce FPF-induced toxicity in honeybees. Honeybees were allocated into 12 experimental groups (n=20/group) under controlled laboratory conditions. FPF was administered orally at 100 mg/L for 72 hours, while parallel groups received co-administration of LPE (1% or 5% w/v). Clinical observations were recorded daily, including neuromuscular dysfunction (e.g., tremors, abnormal wing positioning, uncoordinated movement, curved belly, etc.), gastrointestinal distress (e.g., distended abdomen, abnormal and/or defecation), behavioral alterations (e.g., hyperactivity followed by apathy, failure to respond to stimuli), and mortality rates. Honeybees exposed to FPF alone exhibited severe neurotoxic symptoms within 24 hours, including erratic movement (67.5% incidence) and moribund posturing (27.5% by Day 3), with 90% mortality by 72 hours. In contrast, co-treatment with LPE at 1% significantly delayed symptom progression and prevents mortality: FPF +1% LPE groups showed 100% survival at 72 hours vs 10% in FPF-only groups (p<0.01). The FPF +1% LPE groups showed lesser hyperactivity (2,5% vs. 67.5% in FPF-only) and abdominal spasms (0% vs. 27.5%). FPF +5% LPE groups also showed higher survival probability but in a lesser amount (42.5% vs. 10% FPF-only), suggesting that high LPE doses are toxic. The therapeutic activity is attributable to the polyphenolic component identified through phytochemical characterisation using HPLC-MS. LPE attenuated FPF-induced toxicity and should be considered for further field studies to confirm its therapeutic potential.

Keywords: Apis mellifera, pesticide toxicity control, responsible use of pesticides, Pistacia lentiscus, bee health and animal welfare
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