DATURA- and Mentha leaf powder-induced oxidative stress and histological changes in Eisenia fetida

Abstract Background Many organic and inorganic substances, present in the soil or added to the soil can cause toxicity to the soil organisms specifically earthworms. They play an important role in upgrading the soil quality and making it more fertile for the plants. But this is also a well-known fact that there are several substances that disturb the metabolic and biochemical activities in the earthworms which may led to oxidative damage in the species. Mint and Datura are organic substances and they have long been used in traditional medicine but both the substances have different impact on the earthworms. The present study evaluated the effect of Mint and Datura leaves on the biochemical, oxidative stress markers along with histology of Eisenia fetida . Methods The earthworms of almost equal weight were introduced in the 3 different groups i.e. Control; Cow dung + Mint; Cow dung + Datura with 7 and 15 days intervals. Results The biochemical analysis i.e. total proteins, cholesterol, DNA and RNA content were reduced in the earthworms followed by an increase in the lipid peroxidation in the treated groups. The antioxidant enzyme i.e. superoxide dismutase levels were elevated and catalase was reduced in the toxic groups. It was further supported by histological alterations in the form of degeneration in the muscles, vacuolation, hyperemia in body wall and fused villi in the intestine of Mint and Datura treated earthworms. Conclusion Both Mint and Datura showed toxic effects but Datura was more prone to effect the health of earthworms that was confirmed by stress marker, antioxidant studies, biochemical analysis and also by the histopathological studies on the body wall and intestine of Eisenia fetida .