Comparative Toxicological Effects of Cypermethrin and Chlorpyrifos on the Freshwater Snakehead Fish Channa punctatus (Bloch): A Comprehensive Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59436/jsiane.v5i4.30.2583-2093Keywords:
Channa punctatus; Cypermethrin; Chlorpyrifos; Freshwater pollution; Oxidative stress; Haematology; Histopathology; Neurotoxicity; EcotoxicologyAbstract
Pesticides used in agriculture are an important source of chemical contamination of freshwater ecosystems where environmental release through agricultural runoff and other pathways can have negative effects on non-target aquatic organisms. Among the insecticides studied extensively, cypermethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid, and chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate, are of particular importance because of their neurotoxic properties and ability to cause physiological disturbances in fish. Freshwater snakehead Channa punctatus (Bloch) is a commercially important fish with ecological significance. It is a useful experimental organism for studies on pesticide induced toxicity because of its measurable responses to environmental stressors. This review critically evaluates the comparative toxicological effects of cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos on hematological, biochemical, physiological, behavioral, histopathological and molecular characteristics of Channa punctatus. Available studies indicate that both insecticides disrupt normal physiological functioning via different primary toxicological mechanisms. Cypermethrin primarily alters the gating kinetics of voltage-gated sodium channels, while chlorpyrifos induces neurotoxicity mainly by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase after metabolic activation. Both pesticides can induce oxidative stress, modify activities of antioxidant enzymes, influence blood parameters, induce cellular damage and change normal behavior. However, the relative severity of their effects is dependent on the concentration of exposure, duration of exposure, pesticide formulation, environmental conditions, and the biological endpoints examined. Cypermethrin can induce genotoxicity and hematological defects in species-specific studies and chlorpyrifos can induce significant neurotoxicity and histopathological changes. The review highlights the need for a combination of different biomarkers, instead of toxicity assessment based solely on mortality. More standardized comparative studies are needed to elucidate the pesticide-specific sensitivity; the effect of combined exposure and the long-term ecological consequences. Improved pesticide management, environmental monitoring and ecotoxicological risk assessment are required for the protection of freshwater fish populations.
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