Evaluation of Hepatotoxic effects of azo dye Acid Red 119 in freshwater fish <i>Channa punctata</i>

The existing study was conducted to evaluate the toxic potential of Acid Red 119 (AR 119) in fish <i>Channa punctata</i> by assessing DNA damage, biochemical alterations and histopathological changes in liver tissue after acute exposure. Fish were subjected to two sub-lethal concentrations of AR 119, (15.90 mg/L and 31.81 mg/L), alongside a control group (water only) for 96h. Samples of liver were harvested at 24, 48, 72 and 96h after acute exposure. Compared to the control group, fish exposed to AR 119 exhibited a significant, time-dependent increase in DNA damage. Additionally, oxidative stress measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) level was markedly higher in both exposed groups. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzymatic activities were significantly reduced following acute exposure. Histopathological examination of liver tissues revealed distinct structural anomalies (sinusoid dilation, erythrocytic infiltration, congested portal vein, vacuolization) in exposed fish. Overall, the findings indicate that AR 119 induced genotoxic effects in <i>Channa punctata</i>, potentially mediated by oxidative stress mechanisms.