SUB CHRONIC AND SUB ACUTE TOXICITY STUDIES OF CARBOFURAN IN WISTAR RAT: APPLICATION TO NEUROBEHAVIOURAL EVALUATION

Abstract

Carbofuran is a carbamate pesticide used in fields for promoting crop yield as it cuts down the expectancy of pests. It has been contaminating water in the nearby water sources which ultimately drained into water supply of towns and villages. It is a pollutant and is hazardous if consumed directly. We have conducted sub-acute and sub chronic toxicity studies on wistar rat for studying neurobehavioral effects using carbofuran as the key toxicant. The sub-acute studies were carried out daily dosing and experimenting toxicity studies on 7, 14, 21, 28 & 42 days of study and the sub chronic studies were carried out on giving repeated doses for 90 days and studying the toxic effects. The dose was administered in subsequent groups as 1 mg/kg b.wt, 2.5 mg/kg b.wt, 5 mg/kg b.wt dissolved in olive oil respectively. A control group of animal receiving saline was also established to compare the results and evaluate a clear outcome of the effects and toxicities. The neurobevioural tests were performed using grip strength test, rota rod test, pain threshold, water consumption evaluation and weight evaluation were monitored during the course of experiment. So as to understand the behavior patterns exhibited by the Wistar rats during the course of experiment in comparison to the control group and the treated groups. The extent of damage was being evaluated by studying various doses of the pesticide and three groups were divided which were administered three different doses of Carbofuran drug at different concentrations.