ABSTRACT
Landfills are considered the main option for dumping of municipal solid waste (MSW) all over the world, but these landfills are mostly non-engineered. The decomposition of solid waste in the landfill and rainwater penetration into the decomposing waste produces leachate that contains dissolved organic and inorganic compounds, heavy metals, suspended particles, and hazardous substances. Leachate migration in the environment may pose serious health risks to organisms exposed. Hence, the present study explored the cytotoxic potential of landfill leachate collected in different seasons from the Okhla landfill site, Delhi, India. Cytotoxicity of leachate samples was evaluatedby cell apoptosis and ultrastructural observation based on Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) of the cells of root tips of vicia faba seedlings treated with the leachates collected in summer, winter and monsoon in a time and dose dependent manner. Leachate collected in all the three seasons induced apoptosis in cells of root tips of vicia faba that increased in a time and dose dependent manner when compared to control. The apoptosis was highest in the samples treated with leachate collected in the summer season, followed by winter and monsoon. It was further confirmed with TEM images that there was induction of apoptotic-like morphological changes in the root cells treated with landfill leachate when compared with the control. The present study indicates that municipal solid waste leachate is very toxic and it should be treated before disposing it to the environment.
ABSTRACT
Technological advancements and increased use of chemically hazardous materials have become a concern for human health. Environmental pollutants such as engineered metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (M&MONPs) are reported to contribute to significant health-related problems, particularly reproductive health. Reduction in male individuals' reproductive potential is one of the important causes of concern. Literature suggests that exposure to M&MONPs considerably impacts alteration in male reproductive parameters. Therefore, it is required to analyze and understand their effects on male reproductive toxicity. Oxidative stress and changes in redox equilibrium are the significant factors via M&MONPs induce changes in sperm parameters or the reproductive system. Act as endocrine disruptors and interfere with the secretion and function of reproductive hormones such as testosterone and LH, affecting spermatogenesis. Likewise, M&MONPs accumulate in organs as they can pass through the blood-testis barrier, affect Sertoli and Leydig cells, and cause reproductive dysfunction. In this review, we have analyzed the effects of M&MONPs on the male reproductive system and the underlying mechanism of action
ABSTRACT
The increasing industrialisation and urbanisation have deteriorated the quality and quantity of water bodies, harming the surrounding flora and fauna. Therefore, in our studies, we have chosen the HEK293 cell line to examine further the level of wastewater toxicity to which living beings are exposed. The water samples were collected from various sites around the Agra Canal in the Faridabad region of Haryana. Furthermore, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity confirmation of wastewater samples were done by MTT and comet assay, respectively. The water quality of the Agra canal is heavily influenced by agricultural, domestic, and industrial waste, which may affect the genetic material of species exposed to contaminated water and the sustainability of the local environment. As a result, continuous environmental monitoring and proper policy formulation are required to minimise the adverse effects of pollutants in waste, which would further enrich India’s preparation to take India a step ahead, and that could be the best possible way to commemorate India’s 75th year of Independence with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
ABSTRACT
In the present study, the putative potential of pericarp of dried fruit of Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae Family), a common spice additive in India’s west coast cuisines, in protecting against carcinogenesis has been reported. Extract from dried fruit of Zanthoxylum was orally administered to mice at two dose levels: 100 and 200 mg/kg body wt. for 14 days. Results reveal bifunctional nature of Zanthoxylum species as deduced from its potential to induce phase-I and phase-II enzyme activities associated with carcinogen activation and detoxification in the liver of mice. Hepatic glutathione S-transferase and DT-diaphorase were found significantly elevated by the treatment. Zanthoxylum was also effective in augmenting the antioxidant enzyme activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase albeit significantly by high dose of the extract (P<0.05; P<0.01). Reduced glutathione was also significantly elevated in the liver of treated animals (P<0.05). The present study also investigated peri-initiation application of acetone extract of Zanthoxylum on initiated mouse skin. Results showed a significant reduction in tumor incidence from 68% to 36% (P<0.05); as well as, a reduction in tumor burden per effective mouse from 3.87 to 0.72 (P<0.01). Cumulatively, the findings strongly suggest cancer chemo-preventive potential of Zanthoxylum sps.