Acute Oral Toxicity Study of Profenofos in Swiss Albino Mice

Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of profenofos by oral route in male Swiss albino mice was determined and found to be 90 mg/kg b.wt. The gross observable symptoms in acute toxicity were ataxia, inco-ordination, trembling, decrease in SMA, straub tail, hyperreflexia, hypersalivation, hyperlacrimation, crouchy posture, protrusion of eye ball, breathing with squeak sound, open mouth breathing and at later stage, clonic convulsions followed by tonic extension of hind limbs, increase in respiration rate, dyspnea and death. It was found that profenofos produced dose dependent onset and severity of toxic effects in mice. The time of peak effect in mice was observed at 1 h 40 min which was determined based on the intensity of observable effects at different time intervals of profenofos administration. The acute toxic effects were studied at single dose of MTD for 1 h 40 min, 24 h and 14 days post-treatment in three groups along with their respective control groups. A significant decrease in plasma AChE activity in 24 h post-treatment group of mice was observed as compared to control. Also significant decrease in brain AChE activity in 1 h 40 min and 24 h post-treatment groups of mice was observed as compared to control group. In haematological analysis, a significant decrease in relative neutrophil count was observed in 1 h 40 min post-treatment group of mice as compared to control. A significant decrease in relative lymphocyte count and increase in relative neutrophil and monocyte count were observed in 24 h post-treatment group of mice.