The effect of Bromadiolone-Second generation anticoagulant rodenticide on hepatotoxicity in lesser bandicoot rat Bandicota bengalensis (Gray and Hardwicke)

The lesser Bandicoot rat, Bandicota bengalensis Gray and Hardwicke are considered as the most important mammalian pests due to the damage they cause to agricultural crops and stored food products. Bromadiolone (BDL), a second generation anticoagulant rodenticide was tested against B. bengalensis for its effects on the liver at varying time intervals. Seven groups of six animals each were selected for the experiment. Animals were fed with bromadiolone (0.005%) for 6 days in no-choice test in the form of cake bait (Mixed with wheat, powdered sugar and groundnut oil at a ratio of 96:2:2.) at 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hrs. Control animals were maintained for each time interval. Hepatotoxicity of BDL was determined by increased levels of serum hepatospecific markers and total bilirubin, along with increased levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxides, protein carbonyl content, and conjugated Dienes. The hepatotoxic nature of BDL was further evidenced by the decreased activity of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant levels in liver. BDL treated rats also showed increased DNA damage and histological changes in the hepatocytes. Thus, the results of the present study clearly demonstrate that BDL has strong anticoagulant and rodenticidal properties that induced hepatic injury in B. bengalensis.