Protective effects of Moringa oleifera against carbofuran induced toxicity in fish (Labeo rohita): Insight into hematobiochemical, histology, oxidative and antioxidant biomarkers

Carbofuran pesticide is used to control insects in agriculture and acts as a contaminant that pollutes aquatic ecosystems, exerting harmful effects on fish health. The present study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative effects of moringa leaf powder after fish being exposed to carbofuran on hematobiochemical and histological changes, oxidative and antioxidative mechanisms in the soft tissues of rohu Labeo rohita. Fish were divided into three groups (A, B, and C). Group A treated as control while groups B and C were exposed to two sublethal doses (0.32 and 0.84 mg/L) of carbofuran for 28 days. At day 28, ten fish were removed from the high dose group and transferred to carbofuran-free freshwater (group D) for recovery responses. Results revealed that concentrations of hemoglobin (HGB), red blood cells (RBCs), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), albumin, globulin, total proteins, triiodothyronine (T₃), thyroxin (T₄) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) significantly decreased. White blood cells (WBCs), triglycerides, cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood glucose, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), urea, and creatinine levels were elevated significantly in carbofuran exposed fish. Results showed a significant rise in oxidative stress content (TBARS and ROS), and a decline in the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) in the brain, kidney, liver, and gills of exposed fish. Histological alterations showed deleterious effects on different organs in carbofuran-exposed fish. After the recovery period, all parameters were recovered to some extent. The results of this study indicated that carbofuran is harmful to fish even at low doses. Therefore, extreme care should be taken to prevent the drainage of carbofuran into water bodies.