Fibre Toxicology Division, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, M.G. Marg, P.B. No. 80, Lucknow-226 001, India.
*Corresponding author, E-mail: ajaykumartrivedi@gmail.com.
Present address: National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional Station, Bhowali-263 132, Niglat, Distt.-Nainital (Uttarakhand), India.
Asbestos and its toxic potential on animal and human system has been extensively documented but meager information is available regarding its effects on plant model. Previously, we have shown that chrysotile exposure exerts significant alterations in growth, physiological and biochemical parameters of an aquatic macrophyte, duckweed (Lemna gibba.). In the present study Lemna gibba plants were exposed to four concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 μg ml−1) of chrysotile asbestos under laboratory conditions and alterations in the level of certain oxidative stress enzymes were evaluated at post exposure day 28 in order to assess changes in their level as suitable biomarkers of chrysotile contamination because changes in their level will affect growth, development and physiology at molecular level. Chrysotile exposure caused an increase in the lipoxygenase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase and monodehydroascorbate reductase activity and a decrease in dehydroascorbate reductase activity. These alterations might be considered as biomarkers of exposure to unsafe environment because oxidative stress due to environmental constraints renders such changes in plants to overcome oxidative stress and tolerate unsafe environment.
Chrysotile, duckweed, Lemna gibba, oxidative stress, reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and toxicity
