Evaluating Cytotoxic Effects of Lead Acetate on Pea (Pisum sativum) and White Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus)

Salim, Tamer M. S.; Bakhit, Makhlouf M.; Elbath, Moamen A.; Serag, Ahmed M.

doi:10.21608/eajbsc.2025.437567

Evaluating Cytotoxic Effects of Lead Acetate on Pea (Pisum sativum) and White Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Banha University, Moshtohor 13736, Qalubia, Egypt.

² Plant protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Moshtohor 13736, Qalubia, Egypt.

10.21608/eajbsc.2025.437567

Abstract

Due to human activities, heavy metals like lead are becoming more prevalent in contaminated soil, water and air, which has an unfavorable cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on all organisms. The current study set out to determine whether lead was cytotoxic to Pisum sativum root tips. In the study, three different lead concentrations—1.00, 5.00, and 10.00 ppm were used. It was discovered that the mitotic index decreased as the concentration increased. Control had the highest mitotic index percentage (27%), whereas lead (1.00 ppm) had the lowest mitotic index. When exposed to the maximum concentration, the germination rate dropped by 42%. Lead showed a variety of chromosomal abnormalities, including as micronucleus formation, clumping, bridge, laggards, C-metaphase, and stickiness. Loops and stickiness are examples of chromosomal abnormalities that are found mainly during the metaphase stage of cell division. In addition to histological analyses of liver tissues in male white mice, the effects of lead at 5 ml/1 liter were evaluated on blood enzymes such as plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and creatine kinase (CK). (Albinus Rattus norvegicus). According to the results, the activities of the examined enzymes were significantly increased by the treated dose (5 ml/liter) of lead as compared to control. Lastly, histological examinations showed that, when compared to control, the tested dose of lead generated detrimental alterations in the liver tissues of the examined white male mice.

Keywords