rerio, exposed to salicylic acid, showed an induction in oxidative stress indices
[37, 38]. Bioassays performed with acetylsalicylic acid in Daphnia magna showed
immobilization [39], whereas Cleuvers [40] documented growth inhibition in green
alga D. subspicatus.
Fishes are potent bioindicators as they occupy different trophic levels in the food
chain [41], and the response of fish to pollutants is monitored using several biomarkers [42]. Chronic toxicity analysis using a fish model facilitates better understanding of the impact of any compound on health status of aquatic organisms
[43]. Responses of fish biomarkers such as haematology [44], biochemical profile
[4], antioxidant status [45], behavioural perturbations [46], neuronal responses [47],
metabolomics [48], transcriptomics [49] and toxicokinetics [50] serve as reliable
markers in toxicity researches. Marques et al. [51] have reported that chronic effects
are much more toxic than acute effects.
Indian drug industry holds third place in terms of volume and 14th in terms of
value in and around the globe [52]. In India, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs
are the two largest groups of over-the-counter drugs in urban areas. Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most extensively used class of pharmaceutical agents worldwide [43]). Shanmugam et al. [53] reported the presence of
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Indian River waters. The present study
focuses on the chronic (100 and 200 mg L
À1 ) effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
in a common carp Cyprinus carpio for the period of 21 days by using
haematological, enzymological biochemical and antioxidant parameters in gill and
liver.
2 Materials and Methods
2.1 Experimental Animal
The handling and testing of individuals were carried out as per the guidelines of the
Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals
(CPCSEA) and Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Specimens of Cyprinus carpio with an average weight of 6.0 Æ 0.5 g and length of
7.5 Æ 0.5 cm were procured from Aliyar Fish Farm, Aliyar, and Tamil Nadu in India.
Fishes were taken to the laboratory and stocked in a 6
0
 4
0
 3
0 size cement tank
[42]. Only dechlorinated tap water was used throughout the study period. The
physicochemical parameters of water 25.0 Æ 0.5
C, pH 7.2, hardness 17.8 mg L
À1
(as CaCO 3 ), alkalinity 18.5 Æ 7.0 mg L
À1 (as CaCO 3 ) and dissolved oxygen
concentration 6.2 Æ 0.02 mg L
À1 were monitored and maintained throughout the
study period. The stocked fishes were acclimatized to laboratory conditions for a
period of 20 days. During acclimatization, period fish were with fed rice bran, corn
flour, and wheat flour and groundnut oil cake once in the day. The water in the
aquarium was renewed daily and aerated mechanically. Feeding was ceased 24 h
before the commencement of the experiment.
Toxicity Assessment of Acetylsalicylic Acid to a Freshwater Fish Cyprinus. . .
195
[37, 38]. Bioassays performed with acetylsalicylic acid in Daphnia magna showed
immobilization [39], whereas Cleuvers [40] documented growth inhibition in green
alga D. subspicatus.
Fishes are potent bioindicators as they occupy different trophic levels in the food
chain [41], and the response of fish to pollutants is monitored using several biomarkers [42]. Chronic toxicity analysis using a fish model facilitates better understanding of the impact of any compound on health status of aquatic organisms
[43]. Responses of fish biomarkers such as haematology [44], biochemical profile
[4], antioxidant status [45], behavioural perturbations [46], neuronal responses [47],
metabolomics [48], transcriptomics [49] and toxicokinetics [50] serve as reliable
markers in toxicity researches. Marques et al. [51] have reported that chronic effects
are much more toxic than acute effects.
Indian drug industry holds third place in terms of volume and 14th in terms of
value in and around the globe [52]. In India, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs
are the two largest groups of over-the-counter drugs in urban areas. Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most extensively used class of pharmaceutical agents worldwide [43]). Shanmugam et al. [53] reported the presence of
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Indian River waters. The present study
focuses on the chronic (100 and 200 mg L
À1 ) effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
in a common carp Cyprinus carpio for the period of 21 days by using
haematological, enzymological biochemical and antioxidant parameters in gill and
liver.
2 Materials and Methods
2.1 Experimental Animal
The handling and testing of individuals were carried out as per the guidelines of the
Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals
(CPCSEA) and Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Specimens of Cyprinus carpio with an average weight of 6.0 Æ 0.5 g and length of
7.5 Æ 0.5 cm were procured from Aliyar Fish Farm, Aliyar, and Tamil Nadu in India.
Fishes were taken to the laboratory and stocked in a 6
0
 4
0
 3
0 size cement tank
[42]. Only dechlorinated tap water was used throughout the study period. The
physicochemical parameters of water 25.0 Æ 0.5
C, pH 7.2, hardness 17.8 mg L
À1
(as CaCO 3 ), alkalinity 18.5 Æ 7.0 mg L
À1 (as CaCO 3 ) and dissolved oxygen
concentration 6.2 Æ 0.02 mg L
À1 were monitored and maintained throughout the
study period. The stocked fishes were acclimatized to laboratory conditions for a
period of 20 days. During acclimatization, period fish were with fed rice bran, corn
flour, and wheat flour and groundnut oil cake once in the day. The water in the
aquarium was renewed daily and aerated mechanically. Feeding was ceased 24 h
before the commencement of the experiment.
Toxicity Assessment of Acetylsalicylic Acid to a Freshwater Fish Cyprinus. . .
195