Biochemical effects of aqueous extract of Azadirachta indicaon Clarias gariepinus

Abstract

The study investigates the impact of sublethal toxicity in Clarias gariepinus following the administration of aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica leaves via intramuscular injection, with a specific focus on biochemical factors like protein and glucose. For the experiment, juvenile C. gariepinus raised in tanks were used. They were placed in a large 140L plastic container containing clean borehole water for a 14-day acclimatization period and were fed commercial fish feed pellets twice daily until they were full. The research utilized various test concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 0.00g/l) over a 7-day period. Following the experimental period, the fish were euthanized to analyze biochemical parameters such as total protein and glucose levels in the fish. The levels of total protein in the serum with percentage change of 60.18%, 63.55%, 65.38% and 75,97%, muscles with percentage change of 3.92%, 9.80%, 69.28% and 116.01%, and kidney with percentage change of  44.18%, 26.55%, 45.38% and 42.97% increased with higher concentrations of the plant, while there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in glucose levels in the muscles with percentage change of 15.95%, 44.87%, 51.71 and 51.14% and a significant increase (p<0.05) in the serum with percentage change of 3.56%, 70.56%, 73.78% and 76.67% and kidney with percentage change of  9.15%, 23.56%, 26.78% and 34.75%. Based on the study results, it can be inferred that exposing A. indica to C. gariepinus may pose a threat to the survival of the fish species. The observed variations suggest that the toxicity of A. indica to C. gariepinus primarily impacts the fish's biochemical parameters, which in turn negatively affects their physiological well-being. These alterations can be used as indicators of the stress experienced by the fish when they are exposed to A. indica