Toxicological outcome of exposure to psychoactive drugs carbamazepine and diazepam on non-target insect Nauphoeta cinerea

Abstract

The continuous detection of human pharmaceuticals during environmental biomonitoring is a global concern because of thè menaces they may exert on non-target organisms. Carbamazepine (CBZ) and diazepam (DZP) are commonly prescribed psychotropic drugs which have been reported to coexist in thè environment globally. Nauphoeta cinerea is a common insect with high ecological impact. This study elucidated thè influence of co-exposure to DZP (0.5 and 1.0 pg kg-1 diet) and CBZ (1.5 and 3.0 pg kg~* diet) for 42 days on thè behavior and biochemical responses in Nauphoeta cinerea. Results showed that DZP alone did not induce adverse effect on thè behavior and antioxidant status in thè exposed insects. However, exposure to CBZ alone and binary mixtures of DZP and CBZ significantly decreased locomotor and exploratory accomplishments evidenced by decreased mobile episodes, total mobile time, maximum speed, total distance traveled, absolute turn angle, body rotation and path efficiency in comparison with control. The decline observed in thè exploratory activities of insects fed with CBZ alone and thè mixtures was confirmed by tracie plots and heat maps. Further, acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant enzyme activities decreased significantly whereas reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation levels increased significantly in thè hemolymph, head and midgut of insects exposed to CBZ alone and thè mixtures. Collectively, CBZ alone and binary mixtures of CBZ and DZP .