Subacute toxicity of anilofos, a new organophosphorus herbicide, in male rats: Effect on some physical attributes and acetylcholinesterase activity

Abstract

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" color:black;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-IN">In acute toxicity study, rats showed dose-dependent signs of cholinergic hyperactivity and behavioural alterations. Maximum intensity of symptoms was not associated with mortality. Oral LD₅₀ was 1681 mg/kg. In subacute toxicity study, rats were orally administered 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg<i> </i>of anilofos once daily for 28 days. Signs and symptoms were observed mainly with 200mg/kg<i>. </i>At this dose, anilofos induced hypothermia and progressive weight loss. None of the anilofos treated rats died. Weight of brain, lung, testis was not altered, while of liver, heart, spleen and kidney increased. Anilofos inhibited cholinesterase (ChE) activities of erythrocyte (41-67%), plasma (36%), blood (37-64%), brain (63-73%) and liver(28-48%). Total protein was decreased in plasma and liver. Results indicate moderate toxic potential of anilofos in mammals, substantial contribution of CNS-mediated effects in causing anilofos toxicity and no direct relationship between hypothermia and level of ChE inhibition.</span>