Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of different concentrations of leaf extract of Cannabis sativa (C. sativa) on the biochemical changes and level of alterations in the enzymatic activities in serum, liver and gill of common carp, Cyprinus carpio fingerlings. Methods: The fish specimens were exposed to sublethal concentrations (1.88, 3.75, 7.50, 15.00 and 30.00 mg/L) of crude leaf extract of C. sativa over a period of 56 d in a static renewable bioassay. The biomarkers studied were alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and total protein in the gill, liver and serum while aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase bilirubin, total bilirubin, albumin, urea acid and cholesterol were determined in the serum only. Results: Statistical significant differences (P<0.05) were found in all the biochemical parameters of the gills, liver and serum in all the experimental fish exposed to C. sativa compared with the controls. Phytochemical analysis of the leaves of C. sativa revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, resins, terpins and steroids. Conclusions: The investigation revealed that prolonged exposure of Cyprinus carpio fingerlings to crude leaf extract of C. sativa cumulated to stressful conditions in the fish. Further investigation should be conducted on the molecular mechanisms of these parameters on the biochemical and enzymatic activities as their mode operations are not well studied in fish.

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