In vivo assessment of genotoxic effects of Annona squamosa seed extract in rats.
Widespread use of pesticides represents a potential risk to human and environmental health. Hence, biopesticides from plants are some of the future strategies for plant protection. In this regard, a seed extract of Annona squamosa was prepared and found to be a promising pesticide. In order to establish the inherent toxicity and non-target safety required for registration and marketing of pesticides, toxicological studies are conducted. The genotoxicity potential was evaluated in rats with 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg Annona squamosa by the comet assay in leucocytes, micronucleus and chromosomal aberration tests in bone marrow. We also studied the effects of 300 mg/kg of extract on lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione level and glutathione S transferase activity in liver, lungs, brain, kidneys, heart and spleen of treated rats. The comet assay showed a statistically significant dose related increase in DNA migration. The micronucleus and chromosomal aberration tests revealed a significant induction in frequency of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations at 150 and 300 mg/kg. Annona squamosa treatment significantly enhanced lipid peroxidation, decreased glutathione and glutathione S transferase levels revealing the oxidative stress condition. Our results warrant careful use of Annona squamosa seed extract as a biopesticide till more tests are carried out.
Grover
Paramjit
P
Toxicology Unit, Biology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500 607, Andhra Pradesh, India. param_g@yahoo.com
Singh
S P
SP
Prabhakar
P V
PV
Reddy
Utkarsh A
UA
Balasubramanyam
A
A
Mahboob
M
M
Rahman
M F
MF
Misra
Sunil
S
D000818:Animals; D031041:Annona / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000187:drug effects; D020552:Comet Assay; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity
D009153:Mutagens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D004247:DNA; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D005978:Glutathione