The Histo-protective Properties of Celtis occidentalis Methanolic Extract in Glyphosate-based herbicide intoxicated Renal and Gills Toxicity in Cyprinus Carpio

Abstract

Pesticides are widely used to enhance crop yield, but their release can contaminate the environment. Glyphosate (N-phosphonomethyl glycine), a broad-spectrum organophosphorus herbicide, is extensively applied to control unwanted weeds. The present study evaluated the histo-protective efficacy of Celtis occidentalis leaf extract in Cyprinus carpio exposed to glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH). Twenty one fish were divided into three groups (n=7): Group I (control), Group II (GBH, 0.71 ml), and Group III (GBH + extract 300 mg/kg; EGBH) for 28 days. Histopathological analysis of kidneys and gills revealed that glyphosate exposure caused severe tissue damage, including swelling of Bowman’s capsule, glomerular contraction, vacuolar degeneration of renal epithelial cells, tubular hypertrophy, necrosis, and interstitial hemorrhage with inflammatory infiltration. In gills, congestion of blood vessels, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of epithelial and pillar cells, hemorrhage, fusion and curling of secondary lamellae, mucous accumulation, and lamellar disorganization were evident. Co-administration of C. occidentalis extract markedly ameliorated these alterations, restoring normal tissue architecture in a dose-dependent manner. The findings demonstrate that glyphosate induces significant renal and gill histopathological alterations in C. carpio, while methanolic extract of C. occidentalis exhibits strong protective effects against herbicide-induced toxicity.