Genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and biochemical biomarkers of exposure to green synthesized cadmium nanoparticles in Oreochromis niloticus (L.).

The considerable increment in the use of Nanoparticles in the industry has been recognized as an environmental concern today. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the toxicity effects of green synthesized cadmium nanoparticles [Cd]NPs using Moringa oleifera leaves extract on multi-biomarkers in Oreochromis niloticus after four weeks of exposure. The results showed that LC50 values of [Cd]NPs for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h were 2.17, 1.75, 1.49 and 1.22 mg l-1, respectively. There was a significant decrease in the number of white and red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration value in fish exposed to [Cd]NPs. The mean corpuscular volume and neutrophils were increased. [Cd]NPs exposure to fish has led to cytotoxic and genotoxic changes in the erythrocytes. Significant changes were observed in the cortisol, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine levels of the fish exposed to [Cd]NPs. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase increased. Glucose, total lipids, urea, and creatinine levels increased in the serum of fish exposed to [Cd]NPs, whereas total protein contents and alkaline phosphatase activity decreased. A significant reduction was observed in glycogen, total antioxidant levels, and superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities of fish exposed to [Cd]NPs. In contrast, the [Cd]NPs exposure resulted in a significant increase in DNA fragmentation percentages, lipid peroxidation, and carbonyl protein levels in different tissues. The results of the present study confirmed that [Cd]NPs has the toxicity potential to cause Cyto-genotoxicity, oxidative damages, changes in the hematological and biochemical changes, and endocrine disruptor in the fish.