HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTION OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF Artemisia pallens lEAVES IN CLOFIBRATE AND PHENOL TREATED FRESHWATER FISH Pangasius Sp.

Abstract

Aim: The key motive was to investigate the toxicological upshot of clofibrate and phenol prescribed under human medicine, having potential in water and sediments contamination via input from sewage treatment plants as active pharmaceutical ingredients’ discharge into the environment had kindled present catastrophic effects upon the aquatic ecosystem. Methods: The present study involved, exposing the fish model, Pangasius sp. after acclimatizing them at a suitable LC50 concentration of selective drugs. Their toxic effects were studied in terms of oxidative stress markers, antioxidant status, and protein damage levels in the occupancies under the bioremediation source, Artemisia pallens and further supported by histopathological and cortisol level studies. Results: The results’ comparison between fish maintained under the bioremediation source, when exposed to clofibrate and phenol resulted in severe oxidative stress (significant *P<0.001, #P<0.001) with significant alterations in antioxidant enzyme activities (significant *P<0.001, #P<0.001), histopathological changes and cortisol levels. In the fish exposed to clofibrate and phenol, the significant increase in cortisol level (significant *P<0.05, #P<0.05) may confer distinctive effects on the cell survival by protecting against oxidative stress-induced changes. Conclusion: Since these results varied with the dwelling of the bioremediation source, determination of oxidative stress biomarkers in Pangasius along with Artemisia pallens may serve as a convenient approach for pollution biomonitoring.