Molecular Integrity and Antioxidants Status of Nile Tilapia (O. niloticus) Exposed to Indigofera tinctoria

Pollution in aquatic ecosystems by various pollutants has been a concern in recent decades because of the devastating effect posed on the stability between the receiving water bodies and the biodiversity therein. Indigofera tinctoria has been used in a variety of fields, including health and medicine, as well as industrial applications such as textiles. The impacts of I. tinctoria on freshwater fishes, as well as the mechanisms underlying the biological effects, are, however, sparse. The goal of the study was to see how I. tinctoria affected Nile Tilapia (O. niloticus) juveniles' oxidative stress response, biochemical indicators, DNA disintegration, and protein profile. For 21 days, 6 varying concentrations were applied to the fish, including a control. The biochemical parameters in the test fish revealed a considerable variation in a dose-response manner. In I. tinctoria treated fish, the enzyme activity, when compared with control treatment, lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation, and oxidative stress all increased relative to the toxicant doses used. The protein profiling revealed a modification in the protein credentials in I. tinctoria-treated fish when compared to the control. As per the study, I. tinctoria is toxic to O. niloticus, particularly at higher doses. The results of this research could be applied to biomonitoring studies of I. tinctorial toxicity, particularly in industrial applications. HIGHLIGHTS Pollution in aquatic ecosystems is a concern due to its impact on biodiversity Indigofera tinctoria, locally used as fabric dye was studied for its effects on Nile Tilapia juveniles Study finds I. tinctoria toxic, causing oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation, potentially affecting niloticus' muscle protein expression GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT