EFFECT OF Nigella sativa ON GROWTH, HEMATOLOGY AND LIVER ENZYMES (ALP, ALT AND AST) AGAINST LEAD INDUCED TOXICITY IN Catla catla

Abstract

Aquaculture is the biggest fish production sector that meets the demands of fish globally. Lead (Pb) pollution from various human activities poses a significant threat to aquatic life. The present study explored the adverse effects of lead-based toxicity in Catla catla (C. catla) and the ameliorative role of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) supplementation. There were four treatments in which forty-eight fish were equally distributed. T₀ was the control group fed with a basal diet. T₁ was fed with N. sativa (10 g/kg). T₂ was fed with 7 mg/L lead and T₃ was fed with lead (7 mg/L) and N. Sativa (10g/kg). The growth of Catla catla was assessed weekly to evaluate the impact of different treatments on weight gain and length. Lead and N. sativa Group (T3) showed improved growth (27.05±1.09) as compared to the lead group (20.90±1.18) which indicated that N. sativa supplementation mitigated some of the adverse effects of lead toxicity. Length gain was maximum in T1 (12.08±1.12) as compared to other groups. Hematology parameters like white blood cell (WBC), hematocrit, red blood cell (RBC), concentration of hemoglobin and platelets were measured through a hematology analyzer. RBC Count (1.33±0.09), hematocrit (23.81 ±2.62) and hemoglobin (5.12±0.05) decreased in the lead group. WBC count (47.83±0.86) increased in the exposed group as compared to other treatments. Biochemical tests for the liver which contain alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was performed through assay kits to assess liver toxicity. ALT (31.3 ±2.78), AST (57±2.70) and ALP Levels (27.2±2.48) increased in the lead group (T2) indicating significant liver damage due to lead toxicity. The T3 group showed lower enzyme levels ALP(23.6±1) ALT(28.5±2.06)and AST (53.3±1.74) compared to other treatments demonstrating the hepatoprotective effect of N. sativa. Statistical analysis showed that the results are significant (p<0.05).