The natural and eco-friendly role of Cassia angustifolia in reducing carbaryl toxicity at environmentally relevant concentration.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of carbaryl at environmentally relevant concentrations on the non-target organism Allium cepa L. and to investigate the potential protective effects of Cassia angustifolia Vahl. (Senna) leaf extract (Ca-ex) against this toxicity. Germination parameters, mitotic index (MI), micronucleus (MN), chromosomal aberrations (CAs), comet assays, and spectral shift analyses were employed to assess both toxic and protective effects. Oxidative stress parameters were also investigated. A plant-based bioassay was conducted using root tips and leaves of A. cepa. Exposure to 0.3 µg/L carbaryl resulted in a 41% reduction in germination, a 22% decrease in cell proliferation, and significant increases in DNA fragmentation, MN, CAs, and anatomical damage. Both the decrease in MI rates and the significant increase in MN frequency indicate the cytotoxic effect of carbaryl. In the groups in which Ca-ex was administered together with carbaryl, MI rates increased again and MN frequency decreased, and these findings indicate the protective effect of Ca-ex. Exposure to carbaryl resulted in a significant decrease in chlorophyll levels and a significant increase in malondialdehyde, proline, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels. Administration of Ca-ex in combination with carbaryl improved the oxidative stress parameter levels. The mitigating effect of the extract is likely associated with its phenolic content, and LC-MS/MS analysis identified quercetin, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid as major components. While the findings provide promising evidence that C. angustifolia extract can mitigate carbaryl-induced toxicity in A. cepa, it is important to highlight that this study primarily focused on the protective effects in a non-target plant model. Future investigations should aim to explore the compatibility of such extracts with pesticide formulations, their effects on target pests, and their regulatory and economic feasibility in agricultural systems.

SUBMITTER: Bozkurt A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12371008 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature