Journal of Environmental Biology

Ethanolic root extract of Rauwolfia serpentina alleviates copper induced genotoxicity and hepatic impairments in spotted snakehead fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch, 1793)

S. P. Trivedi¹*, V. Kumar², S. Singh¹, A. Trivedi³ and M. Kumar¹ 

 ¹Environmental Toxicology & Bioremediation Laboratory (ETBL), Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow- 226 007, India

²Department of Zoology, Isabella Thoburn P.G. College, Lucknow-226 007, India

³Department of Animal Sciences, M.J.P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly-243 006, India

*Corresponding Author Email : haldhar80@gmail.com

Received: 19.11.2020                                                                           Revised: 11.03.2021                                                     Accepted: 07.05.2021

Abstract

Aim: The present study was designed to evaluate the plausible efficacy of ethanolic extract of Rauwolfia serpentina to mitigate copper induced toxicity by investigating cytogenetic biomarkers, i.e., chromosome aberrations (CA) and micronucleus (MN) formation; assessment of biochemical changes in liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP) and estimation of protein levels in a freshwater spotted snakehead fish(Channa punctatus).

Methodology: The experiment was carried out in six groups, each having 15 specimens for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr. Group I served as control. Groups II and III were maintained with 3 mg l^-1 of Rauwolfia root extract and 0.4 mg l^-1 of Cu²⁺, respectively. Groups IV, V, and VI were simultaneously co-exposed with 0.4 mg l^-1 of Cu²⁺ and three different concentrations of Rauwolfia root extract 1, 2 and 3 mg l^-1, respectively. For the genotoxicity assessment, blood and kidney tissues were used. Hepatic impairments were assessed after each exposure period.

Results: A significant increase (p<0.05) in chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei frequency, activity of liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP) and a decrease in protein level were recorded in Group III in comparison to the control. Groups co-exposed with Cu²⁺and Rauwolfia serpentine showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in cytogenetic biomarkers, activity of liver enzymes and an increase in protein levels, as compared to Group III, with respect to control in a dose dependent manner.

Interpretation: Thus, result of the present investigation establish the efficacy of R. serpentina root extract against Cu²⁺ induced toxicity in spotted snakehead (Channa punctatus).       

Key words: Copper sulphate, Channa punctatus, Chromosomal aberrations, Hepatotoxicity, Micronuclei, Rauwolfia serpentina

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