Responses of metabolic enzymes (GOT, GPT and LDH) in an Indian major carp Cirrhinus mrigala exposed to titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanorods under short-term exposure

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are extensively manufactured due to their potential properties and applications in various fields such as biomedical, electrical and environmental. These particles are likely to reach the aquatic environment and may cause adverse effects on aquatic organisms. In this study, we investigated the effects of different concentrations (1, 50 and 100 mg L-l) of TiO2 nanorods (NRs). The enzymatic activity of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured in the liver and muscle of an Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala, under short-term exposure (96 h). The synthesised particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) techniques before conducting the toxicity assay. The GOT and GPT activities were significantly elevated in both liver and muscle of fish treated with TiO2 nanorods (except 50 mg L-l in muscle for GPT). Similarly, the activity of LDH was also found to be elevated. The findings of the present investigation suggest that TiO2:NRs might have be absorbed, circulated, accumulated in liver and muscles of C. mrigala resulting in alterations in the enzyme activities. The results revealed that TiO2 nanorods induced alterations in GOT, GPT and LDH activities of fish at tested concentrations. The alterations of these enzymatic parameters can be useful for monitoring the environmental contamination of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in freshwater ecosystem

Toxicity on Dengue Mosquito Vectors Through Myristica fragrans-Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanorods, and Their Cytotoxic Effects on Liver Cancer Cells (HepG2)

Dengue is an arbovirus mainly vectored by Aedes mosquitoes. Its prevention and control depends to effective vector control measures. Cancer causes millions of death every year. Most of the anticancer drugs have high toxicity and low specificity of action, leading to systemic toxicity and severe side effects. Thus, the development of effective tools is a priority. We fabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles using the Myristica fragrans extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Nanoparticles were studied using UV–vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, zeta potential, dynamic light scattering, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. ZnO nanorods were highly effective against A. aegypti young instars, with LC50 ranging from 3.44 (larva I) to 14.63 ppm (pupa). Nanorods showed adult LC50 of 15.004 ppm. ZnO nanorods exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity against human hepato-cancer cells (HepG2). After 48 and 24 h of incubation, the IC50 were 20 and 22 μg/ml, respectively. Nanorods triggered the induction of apoptosis. Overall, this study highlights that the possibility to employ M. fragrans-synthesized ZnO nanorods in mosquito control, as well as in the development of novel chemotherapeutic agents with reduced systemic toxicity