Protective effect of hydrilla verticillata against lead induced toxicity in fish

Abstract

Heavy metals pose a serious threat to the environment and mankind causing heavy damage to the environment and human health According to a World Health Organization WHO study lead exposure is estimated to account for 1 43 000 deaths per year with the highest death toll in developing regions This is because these countries usually have less strict rules regarding exposure to lead It is difficult to identify lead toxicity in living organisms Even when a diagnosis is made therapeutic drugs are not easily available Hence this study was focused on detoxification of lead using an aquatic weed Hydrilla verticillata Hydrilla verticillata is a non native aggressive slender submerged and perennial weed Since it causes several economic and ecological problems efforts are being made to control the impact of this weed H verticillata exhibits antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids phenols flavonoids saponins terpenoids and phytol It is also reported to be rich in vitamins and minerals A beneficial use of this weed is as a detoxifier for lead using a fish model When compared to mammals the experiments using fish are more sensitive rapid and economical Moreover fish are important fauna in the food chain Since Labeo rohita is a widely consumed teleost fish in Tamil Nadu India its impact on human health condition cannot be ignored Additionally this fish is also a suitable candidate for monitoring toxicity The main objective of this study is to reduce lead induced toxicity in L rohita using normal fish feed supplemented with H verticillata newline