Imidacloprid Induces Neurotoxicity in Albino Male Rats by Inhibiting Acetylcholinesterase Activity, Altering Antioxidant Status, and Primary DNA Damage.

Imidacloprid (IMI) is a neonicotinoid insecticide used worldwide, either alone or in combination with other pesticides. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of IMI on the central nervous system of rats and its mechanism of oxidative stress-induced DNA damage by oxidant/antioxidant parameters. Fifteen male rats, divided into three groups, were used: the first group received 5 ml/kg body weight corn oil as a control, the second received a high oral dose of IMI (45 mg/kg body weight), while the third received a low dose (22 mg/kg body weight). After 28 days, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, oxidative stress markers, histopathological alterations, and DNA damage were examined in the brains of these rats. The AChE activities decreased significantly after IMI exposure, reaching 2.45 and 2.75 nmol/min/mg protein in high dose and low dose, respectively, compared to the control group (3.75 nmol/g tissues), while the concentration of malondialdehyde MDA increased significantly (29.28 and 23.92 nmol/g tissues) vs. the control group (19.28 nmol/g tissues). The antioxidant status parameters such as reduced glutathione (GSH) content was 13.77 and 17.63 nmol/g, catalase (CAT) activity was 22.56 and 26.65 µmol/min/g, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was 6.66 and 7.23 µmol/min/g in both doses against the control group (21.37 nmol/g, 30.67 µmol/min/g, 11.76 µmol/min/g), respectively, and histopathological changes in the brain tissues were observed. More in vivo research using epigenetic methods is needed to determine the ability of IMI and its metabolites to cause neurotoxicity and DNA lesions in mammalian brains.

Trichoderma: An Eco-Friendly Source of Nanomaterials for Sustainable Agroecosystems.

Traditional nanoparticle (NP) synthesis methods are expensive and generate hazardous products. It is essential to limit the risk of toxicity in the environment from the chemicals as high temperature and pressure is employed in chemical and physical procedures. One of the green strategies used for sustainable manufacturing is microbial nanoparticle synthesis, which connects microbiology with nanotechnology. Employing biocontrol agents Trichoderma and Hypocrea (Teleomorphs), an ecofriendly and rapid technique of nanoparticle biosynthesis has been reported in several studies which may potentially overcome the constraints of the chemical and physical methods of nanoparticle biosynthesis. The emphasis of this review is on the mycosynthesis of several metal nanoparticles from Trichoderma species for use in agri-food applications. The fungal-cell or cell-extract-derived NPs (mycogenic NPs) can be applied as nanofertilizers, nanofungicides, plant growth stimulators, nano-coatings, and so on. Further, Trichoderma-mediated NPs have also been utilized in environmental remediation approaches such as pollutant removal and the detection of pollutants, including heavy metals contaminants. The plausible benefits and pitfalls associated with the development of useful products and approaches to trichogenic NPs are also discussed.