Genotoxicity assessment of a pharmaceutical effluent using four bioassays

Pharmaceutical industries are among the major contributors to industrial waste. Their effluents when wrongly handled and disposed of endanger both human and environmental health. In this study, we investigated the potential genotoxicity of a pharmaceutical effluent, by using the Allium cepa, mouse- sperm morphology, bone marrow chromosome aberration (CA) and micronucleus (MN) assays. Some of the physico-chemical properties of the effluent were also determined. The A. cepa and the animal assays were respectively carried out at concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 and 10%; and 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50% of the effluent. There was a statistically different (p < 0.05), concentration-dependent inhibition of onion root growth and mitotic index, and induction of chromosomal aberrations in the onion and mouse CA test. Assessment of sperm shape showed that the fraction of the sperm that was abnormal in shape was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than the negative control value. MN analysis showed a dose-dependent induction of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes across the treatment groups. These observations were provoked by the toxic and genotoxic constituents present in test samples. The tested pharmaceutical effluent is a potentially genotoxic agent and germ cell mutagen, and may induce adverse health effects in exposed individuals

Genetic, Reproductive and Hematological Toxicity Induced in Mice Exposed to Leachates from Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene Dispensing Sites

Background. With a population of over 165,000,000, growing at an average rate of 2.7% per annum and an economic growth rate of about 5.7% in the past five years, the market for refined petroleum products in Nigeria is growing. As a result, the number of filling stations is increasing. Objectives. The present study evaluated the reproductive and genetic toxicity of simulated leachate of soil from petrol, diesel and kerosene dispensing sites in a filling station using the murine sperm abnormality test, sperm count and bone marrow micronucleus assay. Methods. Simulated leachate of soil collected from petrol, diesel and kerosene dispensing sites in a filling station was intraperitoneally administered to mice at different concentrations. Bone marrow micronucleus assay was carried out after 5-days exposure, while sperm morphology assay was carried out 35 days from the first day of exposure. Alterations to hematological parameters were evaluated and physico-chemical analysis of the leachate samples was also carried out. Results. The results showed a significant (p<0.05) concentration-dependent increase in abnormal sperm cells and decrease in mean sperm count in all the samples tested. Increased induction of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes was observed in the exposed mice. Hematological analysis showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in the values of white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), while a significant (p<0.05) reduction in basophils, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), packed cell volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values were observed. Discussion. In the present study, simulated leachates from soil obtained from petrol, diesel and kerosene dispensing sites were shown to cause genomic disruptions in germ and somatic cells, and hematotoxicity in an animal model. These observed reproductive, genetic and hemato-toxicities are believed to be caused by the presence of lead, copper, mercury, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and benzene in the samples. Conclusions. This study showed the negative impact of petroleum products in the contamination of soil, with a capability of inducing genetic damage in somatic and germ cells of exposed plants and animals. Competing Interests. The authors declare no financial competing interests. Ethics Approval. The study was approved by the ethical committee of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria