Biochemical Changes after Short-term Oral Exposure of Jatropha curcas Seeds in Wistar Rats.

Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae) is a multipurpose shrub with varied medicinal uses and is of significant economic importance. In addition to being the source of biodiesel, its seeds are also considered highly nutritious and could be exploited as a rich and economical protein supplement in animal feeds. However, the inherent phytotoxins present in the seed is the hindrance. The toxicity nature of the seeds of the local variety of J. curcas is not known. Therefore, investigations were undertaken to evaluate the short-term oral toxicity of the seeds of locally grown J. curcas. Short-term toxicity was conducted in rats by daily feeding the basal diet (Group I), and the diet in which the crude protein requirement was supplemented at 25% (Group II) and 50% (Group III) levels through Jatropha seed powder. The adverse effects of Jatropha seed protein supplementation (JSPS) were evaluated by observing alterations in biochemical profiles. The biochemical profile of rats fed on diet with JSPS at both the levels revealed significant reduction in plasma glucose and total protein and increase in plasma creatinine, transaminases (Plasma glutamic pyruvic transaminase and Plasma glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), and alkaline phosphatase.

Diclofenac-induced biochemical and histopathological changes in white leghorn birds (Gallus domesticus).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate diclofenac-induced biochemical and histopathological changes in White Leghorn birds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six-week-old birds were equally divided into three groups of six birds each. Group I served as control and received vehicle orally. The birds of Group II and III were orally administered with a single low (2 mg/kg) and high dose (20 mg/kg) of diclofenac sodium, respectively, and were observed for 7 days. The acute toxicity was assessed by observing the clinical signs and symptoms, mortality, alterations in blood biochemistry, and necropsy findings. RESULTS: The birds of Group II showed only mild symptoms of diarrhea. In Group III, 50% of birds died in between 24 and 36 h post-treatment showing the symptoms of segregatory behavior, lethargy, terminal anorexia, and severe bloody diarrhea. The birds of Group II and the surviving birds of Group III showed a significantly (P<0.05) increased plasma uric acid, creatinine and plasma glutamic pyruvic transaminase (PGPT), and decreased total protein and albumin at 12 and 24 h post-treatment which returned to the normal levels at 36 h post-treatment. The dead birds of the high-dose group also showed similar pattern of biochemical changes at 12 and 24 h post-treatment and revealed extensive visceral gout with characteristic histopathological lesions in liver, kidney, heart, spleen, and intestine on post-mortem. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that diclofenac sodium has hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, and visceral gout inducing potentials in White Leghorn birds, especially at higher dose.

Studies on the effect of isoprocarb (MIPC 50 WP) on livestock.

Different species of livestock was exposed to isoprocarb (MIPC 50 WP) sprays to monitor their health status. Exposure of livestock (calves, sheep, dogs and RIR birds) to 0.1 percent isoprocarb sprays on cotton crop for 6 hours a day for three consecutive days, showed no adverse effects on evident from clinical hematological and biochemical observations.

Health monitoring of farm labourers engaged in MIPC 50 WP field sprays.

Investigations were undertaken to monitor the health status of farm labourers engaged in field sprays of MIPC 50 WP (Hexamicin, Mipcin), a carbamate insecticide on cotton crop, as per the protocol approved by the Central Insecticide Board The insecticide sprays (0.1%) were undertaken for six hr on three consecutive days on 1.2 hectares of cotton crop per day, using Aspee napsak sprayers. The spray personnel (mixers, loaders and sprayers) with protective clothing did not reveal any alteration in clinical, hematological and blood bio-chemical profile during exposure and post exposure periods. The spray personnel without protective clothing showed only a marginal reduction in their blood cholinesterase activity during the exposure period.

Teratogenic studies of fenitrothion on white leghorn chick embryos.

Teratogenic studies of fenitrothion, an organophosphorus insecticide were conducted on White Leghorn chick embryos. Fenitrothion injections of 5 to 30% concentration in 0.1 ml volumes into the egg yolk space during 4th to 12th day of incubation were lethal to the embryos and the concentration of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% resulted in 40, 35 and 30% hatch, respectively. The chicks showed visible abnormalities such as dwarfism, curled toe, leg weakness and abnormal gait. Fenitrothion injections were comparatively less toxic during the later stages of embryonic development (8th to 12th day of incubation). The growth rate of chicks hatched from fenitrothion treated eggs was reduced as compared to the control chicks (distilled water treated).