Sublethal Toxic Effect of Paraquat Dichloride on Tissue Biochemical Markers in Labeo rohita

Premkumar Arumugan; Mithulya P; Aiswarya Raj VP; Sivanthi V; Yamuna Narala; Muthuviveganandavel Veerappan

Abstract

The present study investigated the sublethal toxic effect of the commercial grade herbicide, Paraquat dichloride (24% SL), on Labeo rohita stressing the importance on biochemical parameters. Fishes were exposed to the sublethal concentrations of paraquat dichloride (5 μg/l and 10 μg/l) for 24 h in treated groups. Treated groups showed highly changed biochemical parameters on their exposure to the herbicide paraquat, when compared to the control. Tissues such as brain, muscles, gills, liver and heart were dissected and subjected to prior analysis for experimentation. Biochemical analysis showed that the exposure of herbicide at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l for 24 h was followed by an increase (P ≤ 0.01) in the level of alanine transaminase—muscles (109%, 89.36% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively); heart (41.08%, 43.79% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively); liver (57.20%, 6.547% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively); brain (47.1%, 1.172% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively) and gills (25.36%, 44% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively). The level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were found to be—muscles (66.40%, 20.51% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively), liver (21.27%, 50.94% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively), heart (31.17%, 8.6% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively), gills (86.84%, 57.57% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively), brain (10.16%, 12.07% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively). Alkaline phosphatase level in different tissues of treated group were heart (15.41%, 22.84% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively); liver (68.76%, 11.03% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively); muscles (22.71%, 6% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively); gills (16%, 50.18% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively); brain (17.52%, 7.33% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively). Aspartate transaminase level was also significantly increased in all the tissues. Total protein content was increased in the brain, liver, muscles and gills, whereas decreased in heart tissue. Finally the data revealed that the exposure to paraquat dichloride is toxic to fishes and human beings and have the potential to impair or damage the physiological activities and causes oxidative stress in Labeo rohita. Therefore, the use of paraquat dichloride may be restricted and it is recommended that the farmers must replace paraquat and choose some ecofriendly natural products.

Abstract

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