Accumulation pattern of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using Plantago lanceolata L. as passive biomonitor

Biomonitors are considered a cheap alternative of active air samplers, especially where spatial pattern of air quality is to be monitored, requiring numerous parallel measurements. Of higher plants, Plantago lanceolata L. has been proven a good monitor species with proper accumulation capacity. While biomonitoring studies are difficult to compare due to inherent errors such as the diverse plant material used in different studies, the No. 227 OECD GUIDELINE FOR THE TESTING OF CHEMICALS: Terrestrial Plant Test: Vegetative Vigour Test provides a tool to test extract of aerosol samples under controlled laboratory conditions. In our study, this guideline was followed to experimentally treat Plantago with the aqueous extract of a diesel exhaust sample. Accumulation pattern of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was assessed and compared to samples collected in the field. Unlike most studies reported in the literature, both in the experimentally treated and field Plantago samples, high ratio of high molecular weight PAHs was experienced. Distribution pattern of accumulated PAHs showed strong correlation between the experimentally treated sample and most of the field plantain samples, underlying the usefulness of laboratory treatments for bioaccumulation studies.

Evaluation of the Potential Toxicity of the Starch from the Shoot of Borassus Aethiopum Mart in Wistar Rats

Background: The shoot of Borassus aethiopum is cultivated and consumed in Northern Nigeria. Its starch has been investigated for use in pharmaceutical formulation but have limited studies on its toxicity. Toxicity is the degree to which a substance (a toxin or poison) can harm humans or animals. The plant Borassus aethiopum Mart belongs to the family Aracaceae, commonly known as the African Fan Palm. The shoot of the plant is commonly referred to as “Muruchi” in Hausa and is widely available and edible.Objective: This experimental research was designed to examine the potential toxicity of the starch from the shoot of Borassus aethiopum in acute and subacute studies using Wistar rats.Material and Methods: Fresh shoots of Borassus aethiopum were obtained, washed, peeled and grinded using mechanical grinder. The starch was extracted using water. Acute toxicity was carried out using OECD guideline 425. Healthy rats of both sexes were randomly grouped into four groups of six rats each (n=6) for the 28-days oral toxicity study. Distilled water was administered at the dose of 2ml/kg to group I which served as the control while groups II, III and IV were orally administered the starch from the shoot of Borassus aethiopum at the doses of 300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg daily for 28 days respectively. The animals were sacrificed after 28-days at which the blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture into plain and EDTA-containing tubes for biochemical and haematological analyses respectively. The liver, kidney, heart and spleen were excised, weighed and examined macroscopically.Results: The phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloids, tannins, and carbohydrate. The acute toxicity (LD50) of Borassus aethiopum was found to be greater than 4000 mg/kg body weight. No notable and significant changes in the relative organ weight as well as the levels of the renal and hematological biomarkers when compared with the control. However, there was significant increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT).Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that the starch from the shoot of Borassus aethiopum showed some evidence of potential toxicity on the liver but did not affect the renal and haematological parameters.

Do Single-Component and Mixtures Selected Organic UV Filters Induce Embryotoxic Effects in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)?

UVs are important ingredients in common cosmetic products (e.g., sunscreens, hairsprays, soap). After their use, they can enter the aquatic ecosystem and negatively affect non-target aquatic organisms. The aim of our study was to evaluate acute embryotoxicity of selected organic UVs 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid (PBSA), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), octocrylene (OC), 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) and benzophenone-3 (BP-3). The chemicals were tested both as a single substance and their mixtures. The types of mixtures were chosen as follows: the combination of OC and 4-MBC; the combination of PBSA, EHMC and BP-3 and the combination of all five UV filters. The embryotoxicity was evaluated using a modified method of the Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity Test-OECD guideline 236 and zebrafish (Danio rerio) was selected as a suitable fish model organism. The toxic effects were studied by assessing mortality, hatching and the occurrence of malformations at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post fertilization. The obtained results indicate that especially the mixture of OC and 4-MBC presents a potential risk of embryotoxicity for zebrafish due to a significant increase in mortality, which was 41.7% in the experimental group exposed to 10 μg/L at 96 h post fertilization. Based on our results, the most effected sub-lethal endpoints were hatching and malformation (e.g., edema of pericard, bent spine, yolk edema), but with no statistically significant effect. These results differ within groups with single UVs and with their mixtures, suggesting the interaction of these substances when they are exposed together.

Testing methods for the assessment of chemical neurotoxic effects on the developing organisms in pre- and postnatal period

Aim of the research. Analysis of approaches to the assessment of neurotoxic effects of chemicals during ontogenesis. The dangerous tendency of the increase in the incidence of pathology of the nervous system in the child and the mother, who during pregnancy was exposed to neurotoxicants, necessitates the protection of the child’s body from such a negative effect of chemicals. One of the possible preventive ways to solve this problem is screening of xenobiotics before their widespread application, as well as identification of their ability to cause neurotoxic effects on the body during its development, and banning substances, neurotoxic effects of which on the development of progeny are proven. Materials and Methods. Detection of adverse effects at the stage of foetal development and then at the beginning of the functioning of a nervous system in the postnatal period requires complex experimental studies in laboratory animals, which are described in the recommendations of OECD guideline 426 (OECD Guideline for Testing of Chemicals; Guideline 426: Developmental Neurotoxicity Study, 2007). The OECD guideline 426 protocol provides for a wide range of methods for assessing sensory, motor, behavioural and cognitive functions. Conclusions. Analysis of data given in publications and methodological approaches to research and evaluation of neurotoxic effects of chemicals on the developing organism showed that to obtain representative results it is important to take into account all factors that may affect the result, select adequate informative tests and comply with all requirements. In Ukraine, international methodological approaches to the study of neurotoxic effects of pesticides on the body at the stage of development in the process of ontogenesis are applied at the L.I. Medved’s Research Center of Preventive Toxicology, Food and Chemical Safety, Ministry of Health, Ukraine (State Enterprise), Kyiv, Ukraine. Key Words: nervous system, neurotoxic effects, OECD guideline 426, neurobehavioral tests.

Study of the analgesic effect of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Citrus aurantifolia (Rutaceae) in mice

Citrus aurantifolia (Rutaceae) is a plant used in traditional medicine in the treatment of inflammatory and analgesic pathologies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the analgesic activity of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Citrus aurantifolia in mice. The phytochemical study revealed flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, coumarins, saponosides and polyterpene sterols and the absence of alkaloids. Concerning the acute toxicity study at the single dose of 2000 mg/ Kg pc orally, it revealed that the aqueous extract of the leaves of Citrus aurantifolia is not toxic. Thus, according to OECD guideline 423, the oral LD50 of this extract is in the range of 2000-5000 mg/kg bw. The analgesic activity of the aqueous extract of Citrus aurantifolia orally was determined by evaluating the rate of inhibition of pain caused by acetic acid. The 250 mg/kg bw and 500 mg/kg bw doses of the aqueous extract administered orally all showed analgesic activity. The best analgesic activity was obtained with an inhibition rate of 88.64% for the 250 mg/kg bw dose. The best analgesic activity was obtained with an inhibition rate of 88.64% for the 250 mg/kg bw dose, while with the 500 mg/kg bw dose, the inhibition rate of pain sensation was 47.57%. Therefore, the extract has an analgesic effect at low doses.

TOXICOLOGICAL STUDY OF MUGDHA RASA, AN AYURVEDIC FORMULATION

Mugdha Rasa is one type of Kharaliya Rasayana and comes under Nirgandha, Niragni Murchana of Parada. Parada and Khatika are the main ingredients of Mugdha Rasa. This investigation is an attempt to perform toxicological study of Mugdha Rasa. Acute toxicological study and sub-acute toxicological study were carried out as per OECD guideline 425 and 407 respectively. Oral acute toxicity study was carried out at the limit dose of 2000 mg/ kg orally in Swiss albino mice. Sub- acute toxicity study of Mugdha Rasa was carried out in Albino rats and it was administered at therapeutic equivalent dose (TED), TED ×2 and TED×5. No signs of toxicity and mortality were observed Mugdha Rasa in acute toxicity study. So, LD50 of Mugdha Rasa is greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight and Mugdha Rasa can be considered assafe on acute exposure. The data generated during sub-acute toxicity study are indicated that it is not a hazardous substance for sub-acute administration at TED dose level. Higher dose levels show mild changes in parameters.

Toxicity study of Chlorella vulgaris water extract on female Sprague Dawley rats by using the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guideline 420

Chlorella vulgaris, a coccoid green eukaryotic microalga, is a popular food supplement and has been marketed as a nutritional supplement in Asia. Despite numerous reports on the antioxidant property of this species, its toxic effect has not been extensively studied. The aim of this study was to determine the acute oral toxic effect of C. vulgaris on female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. An acute oral toxicity assessment of C. vulgaris was performed based on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guideline 420. These guidelines are divided into a sighting study and a main study. In the sighting study, C. vulgaris extract was administered orally in sequential doses of 5, 50, 300 and 2000 mg kg−1 body weight (BW) with one rat used for each dosage. Clinical observation and mortality were observed for each rat to monitor signs of toxicity for 14 days. BW and relative organ weight (ROW) were recorded. Blood was collected for liver function test (LFT). Gross pathological evaluations were performed after euthanasia of rats. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the liver and kidney was also performed. The main study was performed based on the highest dose in the sighting study that did not exhibit any signs of toxicity and mortality. For 14 days, clinical observations, BW, and ROW were recorded. Blood from rats in the main study was also measured for LFT, and gross pathological evaluations and H&E staining of the liver and kidney were also performed. The highest dose of 2000 mg kg−1 BW C. vulgaris was used in the main study. No toxicity and mortality were observed in both the sighting study and the main study. Increases in BW were observed in both studies. Gross pathological evaluations showed no signs of organ abnormalities on each organ in the sighting and main studies. The ROW also showed no differences. The values of biochemical parameters in the liver function test showed no differences in the sighting study. However, in the main study, significant decreases in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were observed on day 14 compared with day 0 (p < 0.05). Chlorella vulgaris showed no toxicity at the dose of 2000 mg kg−1 BW. In conclusion, C. vulgaris can be categorized as unclassified according to the Globally Harmonised Classification System (GHS) for chemical substances and mixtures.

Development, Characterization and Pharmacological Evaluation of Anti-blemish Cream Containing Herbal Oils

Background: Many topical agents are available in the market which interfere with pigmentation process at different levels. They are often known to cause side effects ranging from irritation to tumor over chronic use. Objective: The present study was designed to develop and characterize an antiblemish cream containing herbal oils. Methods: A herbal cream was formulated using dill, nagarmotha and black cumin oil and subjected to evaluation of its antiblemish potential against stress augmented UV-B rays induced hyperpigmentation. Topical oil in water type of cream containing 2%, 4% and 6% of each oil was formulated using herbal oils. The formulated cream was characterized for solubility, pH, particle size, grittiness, viscosity, stability, phase separation, shelf life and spreadability, and found to be stable. Acute dermal toxicity was carried out individually for dill, nagarmotha and black cumin oil according to OECD guideline 402. Hyperpigmentation was induced in all the experimental animals by stress augmented UV-B irradiation method. The animals were treated for 30 days (twice daily) with standard and test formulations by topical administration, whereas the disease group was left untreated. The skin of the animals were subjected to photographical study as well as grading for pigmentation and irritation before and after treatment. After treatment period, the serum antioxidant levels were estimated and histopathology, histochemical studies of skin were performed. Results: The animals treated with test formulations containing 2%, 4%, 6% of herbal oil showed significant improvement from pigmentation compared to disease control as it is evident in photographical biochemical, histopathological and histochemical studies. Conclusion: Thus, it was concluded that the developed antiblemish cream containing herbal oils possess significant antiblemish potential. This study necessitates further evaluations in human subjects as it could have highly positive therapeutic value in the treatment of hyperpigmentation.

Skin irritation potential of graphene-based materials using a non-animal test

Graphene related materials, if prepared with non-irritant exfoliation agents, do not induce skin irritation on a 3D model of human epidermis, following the OECD guideline 439.