Acute toxicity profile of chlorpheniramine: Potential use as antidote to dichlorvos poisoning

Georgewill Udeme Owunari; Iwu Janet Chika

doi:10.30574/gscbps.2021.14.1.0025

Authors

Georgewill Udeme Owunari Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Iwu Janet Chika Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2021.14.1.0025

Keywords:

Dichlorvos, Chlorpheniramine, Acute Toxicity

Abstract

Introduction: Pesticide poisoning is a serious public health concern all over the world. Alternative therapies for organophosphorus poisoning are being explored, and this could be very useful especially in emergency situations of antidote shortages. This study therefore set out to determine the effects of chlorpheniramine on the kidney and liver function in dichlorvos poisoning.

Methodology: Chlorpheniramine (2mg/kg, 4mg/kg, and 8mg/kg), atropine (0.4mg/kg, 0.8mg/kg, and 1.6mg/kg) and dichlorvos (4mg/kg) were all administered intraperitoneally. Administration was done for 14 days, after which the animals were sacrificed under chloroform anaesthesia and blood samples collected for liver and kidney function tests.

Results: Chlorpheniramine and atropine offer some protective effects as they both reduced the raised values of the renal enzymes towards that of the control following dichlorvos poisoning. Chlorpheniramine and atropine counteracted the effect of dichorvos on Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^- and HC0₃^-, by reducing the values closer to the normal range. However, the combination group significantly (p<0.05) reduced the values and gave normal values of 147mmol/L (Na⁺), 4.3mmol/L (K⁺), 127mmol/L (Cl^-) and 18.3mmol/L (HC0₃^- respectively) when compared with the control. Chlorpheniramine raised the value closer to the normal range and gave a value of 4.82g/dl, though this increase was not statistically significant. Atropine gave a value of 5.0g/dl which is within the normal range. The combination group (Atropine + Chlorpheniramine) gave a value of 5.6g/dl which is within the normal range and the difference was statistically significant when compared to the negative control (p<0.05). Chlorpheniramine reduced the elevation observed in the liver enzymes caused by dichlorvos poisoning (149.3U/L, 34.33U/L and 142.3U/L respectively).

Conclusion: This study concludes that chlorpheniramine has protective property on the liver and kidney against dichlorvos toxicity.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Adeoti OT, Belonwu DC, Wegwu MO, Osuoha JO. Implication of acute, sub-chronic and chronic exposure to different pesticides via inhalation on male wistar rats. Journal of Bioengineering and Bioscience. 2017; 5(4): 74-85.

Adetoye D, Udeme UO. Investigation of antidotal properties of promethazine. International Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy. 2018; 6(2): 42-46.

Eddleston M, Chowdhury FR. Pharmacological treatment of organophosphorus insecticide poisoning: the old and the (possible) new. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2015; 81(3): 462-470.

Shreesh O, Sharma C, Nurulain SM. Antihistamines: Promising Antidotes of Organophosphorus Poisoning. Military Medical Science Letters. 2014; 83(3): 97–103.

Sumit K, Ajay K, Preetha K, Atul M. A review of antihistamines used during pregnancy. Journal of Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics. 2015; 3(2): 105-108.

Tibutt, D. Poisoning with drugs and chemicals in South Sudan, how big is the problem ? South Sudan Medical Journal. 2011; 4(4): 990–991.

Mohammad FK, Faris GA, Sindala MK. Comparative antidotal effect of diphenhydramine and atropine against dichlorvos induced toxicosis in rats. Journal of Veterinary Archives. 2002; 72(1): 19-28.

Mohammad FK, Mousa YJ, Hasan M. Acute toxicity and neurobehavioral effects of diphenhydramine in chicks. Journal of Poultry Science. 2012; 43(1): 1-9.

Mousa, YJ. Effect of chlorpheniramine on acute dichlorvos poisoning in chicks. Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Science. 2009; 23(2): 35-43.