Effect of Graphene Nanosheets on the Histological Abnormalities in the Liver and Intestine of Cirrhinus mrigala Treated with Plant Extracts of Tamarix aphylla and Albizia lebbeck.

Abstract

This study assesses the histological abnormalities induced by graphene nanosheets in Cirrhinus mrigala fish (Mrigal) treated orally with plant extracts of Tamarix aphylla and Albizia lebbeck. In 1st phase of experiment LC₅₀ of graphene nanosheets was determined as 81.22 mg/kg over 96 h. In 2nd phase of experiment fish were exposed to 15th, 10th, and 5th fraction of the LC50 for 28 days exhibited liver and intestinal abnormalities, including vacuolation, necrosis, villous atrophy, and crypt hyperplasia. In 3rd phase of experiment co-treatment with Tamarix aphylla and Albizia lebbeck (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg) for 56 days reversed these changes. Graphene nanosheets increased oxidative stress parameters (glutathione, malondialdehyde, catalase, and lipid peroxidase), but the effect is considerably reversed by treatment with plant extracts. Raman and TEM analyses confirmed graphene nanosheet characterization, while GCMS and HPLC analysis of plant extracts revealed antioxidant properties. The study concludes that graphene nanosheets induce oxidative stress and histological damage in Cirrhinus mrigala (Mrigal), mitigated effectively by Tamarix aphylla and Albizia lebbeck extracts.