Cadmium induced histopathological changes in the stomach and small intestine of Swiss albino mice Mus musculus

The results on the effect of oral administration of cadmium chloride on the histomorphology of the stomach and small intestine of Swiss albino mice revealed severe histopathological effects in the tissues of both stomach and small intestine. There is marked atrophy of musculature, and disintegration of sub-mucosal and mucosal tissues, distortion of villi with disintegration of mucosal epithelial cells characterized by cytoplasmic vacuolization, nuclear pycnosis and nuclear fragmentation. A significant damage in the Brunner’s gland and crypts of Liberkuhn has been observed

Assessment of genotoxic effects of pesticide and vermicompost treated soil with Allium cepa test

Soil forms a huge reservoir of nutrients that sustains life on earth. Anthropogenic and natural impacts have led to degradation of land which declines the overall quality of soil, water or vegetation. The present study involves comparison of genotoxicity of soil procured from two different agricultural sites, pesticide treated soil (PTS) and vermicompost treated soil (VTS). The soil was physico-chemically characterized and showed significant differences in terms of cytotoxicity (root length; mitotic index) and genotoxicity (chromosomal aberrations) in Allium cepa test. The mitotic index of the control after 24 and 48 h was found to be 26.1 ± 1.6 and 26.1 ± 1.3 respectively. Mitotic index was reduced to 10.3 ± 0.9 and 9.7 ± 0.6 in 100% PTS and 24.4 ± 1.7 and 25.4 ± 0.8 in 100% VTS after 24 and 48 h of exposure, respectively. Clastogenic aberrations were found to be highest (54.5%) in 100% PTS which was significantly different from VTS extract. The PTS extracts incurred significantly more cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on A. cepa in comparison to VTS. The result indicates that addition of vermicompost in agriculture field acts as soil ameliorator and plays an important role in promotion of cell division and proliferation, hence good for the plant health and crop productivity