Ameliorative potential of cassia fistula against cypermethrin induced toxicity in Catla Catla Hamilton 1822

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to study the toxic implications of chronic exposure of Catla catla, a widely cultured freshwater carp to a synthetic pyrethroid cypermethrin, considering behaviour, biochemical, histological, ultrastructural, genotoxic and gene expression endpoints. Through dietary supplementation, ameliorative potential of ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula against the pesticide toxicity in the fish was also evaluated. Performing semi static toxicity tests, 96h LC50 of cypermethin to the fish was found to be 1.24 and#956;g/L. The chronic toxicity bioassay was performed using environmentally relevent sub-lethal concentrations (1/10th and 1/3rd of LC50) for a period of 45 days, with sampling interval of 15 days. The exposed fish exhibited marked alterations in serum enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) and levels of glucose and total protein. The enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants (CAT, SOD, GST, GSH) were significantly altered, and LPO level got elevated in all the tested organs of the fish. Pesticide caused notable structural deformities in the gills, liver, kidney and brain, evinced by histopathological and ultrastructural anomalies encountered during the exposure period. Cypermethrin also resulted in induction of micronuclei and other cellular abnormalities, as well as DNA damage in erythrocytes of the toxicant exposed fish.Transcriptional analysis of apoptosis related genes, Gadd45and#945; and Bcl-2 revealed altered expression. C. fistula rendered significant protection against the aforementioned perturbations caused by the pesticide. From the findings, it could be inferred that cypermethrin exposure even at low concentrations inflicts important constraints on health and survival of C. catla, and dietary supplementation of C. fistula extract is efficient in ameliorating the toxicity of the pesticide. Rational use of cypermethrin is suggested. newline