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The urbanization of agriculture sector leads to an increased chemical affliction on the environment. Pesticides are the chemicals used in agriculture to protect the plants from weeds, pests or diseases and human being from various diseases. In this review, the literature of different types of pesticides, pesticide usage and its toxic effects on mammalian systems are summarized. Most commonly used pesticides are fungicides, insecticides and herbicides to control the weeds and pest from agricultural sites. In the usage of pesticides, India stands 12th in the world even though the use of pesticides in India is low as compared to other nations in the world. However due to their negative impacts on human and the environment there is a requirement for an ecological and sustainable approach, as the public needs the execution of the latest concept of agriculture that is safe for humans and the environment. For the sustainable agriculture development and to protect the environment from adverse effects of chemical pesticides, formulation and utilisation of bio-pesticides should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ameliorative role of combination of curcumin and ascorbic acid (low and high doses) was determined against biochemical and histopathological changes in liver caused due to synergistic effects of heavy metals (As, Cd and Pb) present above permissible limits in drinking water for 60 and 90 days in 84 male albino rats. The histology of liver in rats treated with a mixture of low as well as high doses of heavy metals showed mild alternations after 60 days and intense damage after 90 days. The content of biochemical parameters like proteins and lipids were significantly decreased and cholesterol, phospholipids and fatty acids were significantly increased after 60 and 90 days of treatment. The rats treated with curcumin and ascorbic acid showed restoration of histological damage and content of biochemical components indicated amelioration of hepatotoxicity effectively up to 60/90 days depending upon the dose of heavy metals, curcumin and ascorbic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of sulphur dioxide (SO2) on antioxidant enzymes and histopathological changes was investigated in brain and lungs of rats of both the sexes under natural and experimental conditions. Naturally exposed, house rats, Rattus rattus were collected from agricultural fields alongside the road at Ludhiana, India. Laboratory house rats were exposed to different concentrations of SO2 (5ppm, 10ppm and 15 ppm for 5 hours /day for 28 days in 1 m3 exposure chamber). Control rats were exposed to filtered air in a similar chamber. The results showed that SO2 exposure at all the tested concentrations caused a significant increase in the lipid peroxidation process in the brains and lungs of rats of both the sexes that is supplemented by changes of antioxidant status in these organs as compared to field rats. The results lead to conclusion that SO2 can cause oxidative damage to brain and lungs of rats. So, SO2 is a toxin to brain and lungs of mammals as rats have physiology similar to that of humans. Thus, studying the toxic effect of increased concentrations of SO2 is the need of hour as increasing pollution is a cause of concern for humans as SO2 is one of the major pollutants in the air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imidacloprid a systemic neonicotinoid, mainly used for controlling insects and pests in agricultural sector. Two doses of imidacloprid (10 and 20 mg/ kg/ day) were selected based on LD50 and given through oral intubation to female rats for 60 days. Disturbed cyclicity with significant (P<0.05) decrease in the number of estrous cycle days and increased diestrous index was observed at high dose. Serial sections of ovary were studied for atretic follicles in imidacloprid treated rats. Number of healthy follicles was significantly (P<0.05) decreased with increased number of atretic follicles at high dose of imidacloprid. The histopathology of ovary also revealed more atretic follicles at high dose of imidacloprid. Decreased body weight and ovary weight in imidacloprid treated rats was dose dependent. Based on the observed effects, it can be concluded that imidacloprid produced more significant effects on female reproduction at high dose (20 mg/ kgbw/ day) as compared to low dose (10 mg/ kgbw/ day). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of different concentrations of SO2 (5, 10 and 15 ppm) on antioxidant enzymes and histo-pathological changes were investigated in male rats under natural and experimental conditions. Naturally exposed, house rat, Rattu srattus (Group I) were collected from urban residential areas at Ludhiana, India. Laboratory bred house rats were divided into four groups. Group II (control rats) were exposed to filtered air in 1 m³ exposure chamber for 5 h per day for 28 days, Group III, IV and V were exposed to 5, 10 and 15 ppm of SO2, respectively.Three concentrations of SO2 showed significant increase in lipid peroxidation(LPO) and significant decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) and non-significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH) levels in testesof male rats. Results showed that SO2 is an oxidative damage causing agent to testesof rats.Like other environmental contaminants and pesticides this contaminant (SO2 ) is also affecting male reproductive system besides other organs. It also acts as a toxin just like pesticides which are adversely affecting human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals are one of the major environmental issues due to large number of sources and diligence. The amount of heavy metals in washed and unwashed feathers of feral pigeon were investigated in this study. The feathers were collected from five distant locations: Agronomy Farm Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Jalandhar FCI (with low traffic volume and anthropogenic activities) and Cold Storage Jalandhar Bypass, Cold Storage Mullanpur, Hoshiarpur FCI (with high traffic volume and anthropogenic activities). Results revealed that metals such as Pb, Cd and Cr were deposited in feathers originating from air or soil. As was absorbed through pigeon's diet. The order of metal concentration was Jalandhar Bypass>Hoshiarpur FCI> Cold Storage Mullanpur> Jallandhar FCI> Agronomy Farm Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana which shows highest concentration due to high traffic and anthropogenic activities. Significant differences between As, Cd, Pb and Cr in washed and unwashed feathers recommend that concentrations of metals are directly related to exposure time. It is concluded that feathers of urban pigeons can be used to estimate heavy metals present in the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]