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Papers by Dr. Rakhi Agarwal

Research paper thumbnail of Differentiation of Immediate and Delayed Metabolic Biomarkers: Qualitative Assessment of Benzene Exposure in Cigarette Smokers and Petrol Station Workers

Asian Journal of Chemistry, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Forensic Toxicology Research to Investigate Environmental Hazard

Journal of Forensic Sciences & Criminal Investigation, 2017

Research paper thumbnail of An optimized assay for early and rapid assessment of behavioral alterations using Caenorhabditis elegans as an alternate animal model

Research paper thumbnail of Risperidone Induced Alterations in Feeding and Locomotion Behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans

Current Research in Toxicology, 2021

Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) are prescribed for the treatment of psychiatric illness. However, thes... more Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) are prescribed for the treatment of psychiatric illness. However, these drugs can also contribute to several developmental and behavioral disorders. Contemporary studies to evaluate the toxic effects of numerous atypical antipsychotics are reported to cause behavioral alteration at variable doses in mammals and nematodes. Risperidone, the second most prescribed drug in India, requires more exploration of its adverse effects on humans. Here, we explore effects on feeding behavior and locomotion patterns due to risperidone exposure in C. elegans model. The study targets to work out the toxic effects of risperidone exposure on feeding and locomotion behavior in addition to the expected pharmacological effects. N2 wild type strain was exposed in liquid culture assay for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours with fixed 50 µM concentration. Feeding behavior was depleted due to inhibition in pharyngeal pumping varying from 11.05% - 45.67% in a time-dependent manner. Results of locomotion assay also show time-varying increase in reversals (4.9%-34.03%) and omega bends (26.23%-62.17%) with reduction in turn counts (29.07%- 42.2%) and peristaltic speed (31.38%-42.22%) amongst exposed groups as to control. The present work shows behavioral alterations due to risperidone exposure (50 µM) in C. elegans is in a time-dependent manner. The study concludes that risperidone exposure in C. elegans produces toxic effects with time, possibly caused by antagonizing other receptors apart from serotonin (5-H2T) and dopamine (D2) adding to its expected pharmacological effects.

Research paper thumbnail of Assessment of lead toxicity on locomotion and growth in a nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 2020

Due to anthropogenic activities and natural abundance, lead exposure is a common phenomenon. Neur... more Due to anthropogenic activities and natural abundance, lead exposure is a common phenomenon. Neurotoxic and genotoxic effects of lead are widely known. Recent studies have suggested that lead exposure can affect young generation and transfer to the progeny thus posing a great threat for future generation. The present study was focused on lead toxicity in terms of locomotion and growth of Caenorhabditis elegans (N2 wild type) at three sub-lethal doses (3µM, 15 µM and 30 µM) of Pb (NO3)2 for 24 hours (sub-chronic exposure). Caenorhabditis elegans is a nematode with an established eco- toxicity marker model organism, due to its short life cycle and ease to monitor. After lead exposure, significant toxic manifestations were observed in locomotion of the nematode in terms of omega bends (+350% for 30 µM exposure dose, p<0.001), reversals (-26.98%, -49% and -66.35% for 3 µM, 15 µM and 30 µM exposure doses respectively, p<0.001), turn counts (-38.66%, -62.61% and -81.93% for 3 µM, 1...

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of co-exposure of aldrin and titanium dioxide nanoparticles at biochemical and molecular levels in Zebrafish

Environmental toxicology and pharmacology, 2018

Aldrin (ALD), a persistent-organic-pollutant (POP), an organochlorine-cyclodiene-pesticide is hig... more Aldrin (ALD), a persistent-organic-pollutant (POP), an organochlorine-cyclodiene-pesticide is highly toxic in nature. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TNP) are widely used for various industrial applications. Despite the remarkable research on pesticide toxicity, the work with impact of nanoparticles on POP has been dealt with marginally. Chemicals co-exist in the environment and exhibit interactive effects. An investigation was carried out to evaluate the individual and combined effects of ALD (6 ppm) and TNP (60 ppm) exposure at sub-lethal concentration for 24 h in zebrafish. Significant reversal of lipid peroxidation level in liver and brain tissues and restoration in enhanced catalase activity in all examined tissues were observed in combined group. For other parameters, combined exposure of ALD and TNP does not show significant reversal action on ALD toxicity. Further studies are inline to understand combined effects of both to achieve significant reversal of ALD toxicity by TNP...

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of sub-chronic low-level lead exposure on the homeostasis of copper and zinc in rat tissues

Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of comparative effect of pre- and posttreatment of selenium on mercury-induced oxidative stress, histological alterations, and metallothionein mRNA expression in rats

Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, 2010

To evaluate the effect of pre- or posttreatment of selenium (6 micromol/kg b.w., single intraperi... more To evaluate the effect of pre- or posttreatment of selenium (6 micromol/kg b.w., single intraperitoneal injection) in mercury intoxication, rats were exposed to mercury (12 micromol/kg b.w., single intraperitoneal injection). Exposure to mercury resulted in induced oxidative stress in liver, kidney, and brain tissues. Marked changes in serum biochemical parameters together with alterations in histopathology and an induction in metallothionein-I and metallothionein-II mRNA expression in the liver and kidney were observed. Pretreatment with selenium to mercury-exposed animals had protective effect on the liver, whereas posttreatment had partial protection on restoration of altered oxidative stress parameters. In the kidney, pretreatment with selenium showed partial protection on restoration of altered biochemical parameters, whereas no protection was observed in posttreatment. The pretreatment with selenium resulted in restoration of mercury-induced metallothionein-I and metallothionein-II mRNA expression, which was completely restored in the liver whereas partial restoration was observed in the kidney. Posttreatment with selenium resulted in further induction in metallothionein-I and metallothionein-II mRNA expression in the liver and kidney. In the brain, selenium showed partial protection on alerted biochemical parameters. Results indicate that pretreatment with selenium is beneficial in comparison to posttreatment in mercury intoxication. Thus, dietary intake of selenium within safe limit may, therefore, enable us in combating any foreseen effects due to mercury exposure.

Research paper thumbnail of Role of Selenium in Mercury Intoxication in Mice

Research paper thumbnail of Role of vitamin E in preventing acute mercury toxicity in rat

Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Lead-induced phospholipidosis and cholesterogenesis in rat tissues

Chemico-Biological Interactions, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Detoxification and antioxidant effects of curcumin in rats experimentally exposed to mercury

Journal of Applied Toxicology, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Differentiation of Immediate and Delayed Metabolic Biomarkers: Qualitative Assessment of Benzene Exposure in Cigarette Smokers and Petrol Station Workers

Asian Journal of Chemistry, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Forensic Toxicology Research to Investigate Environmental Hazard

Journal of Forensic Sciences & Criminal Investigation, 2017

Research paper thumbnail of An optimized assay for early and rapid assessment of behavioral alterations using Caenorhabditis elegans as an alternate animal model

Research paper thumbnail of Risperidone Induced Alterations in Feeding and Locomotion Behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans

Current Research in Toxicology, 2021

Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) are prescribed for the treatment of psychiatric illness. However, thes... more Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) are prescribed for the treatment of psychiatric illness. However, these drugs can also contribute to several developmental and behavioral disorders. Contemporary studies to evaluate the toxic effects of numerous atypical antipsychotics are reported to cause behavioral alteration at variable doses in mammals and nematodes. Risperidone, the second most prescribed drug in India, requires more exploration of its adverse effects on humans. Here, we explore effects on feeding behavior and locomotion patterns due to risperidone exposure in C. elegans model. The study targets to work out the toxic effects of risperidone exposure on feeding and locomotion behavior in addition to the expected pharmacological effects. N2 wild type strain was exposed in liquid culture assay for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours with fixed 50 µM concentration. Feeding behavior was depleted due to inhibition in pharyngeal pumping varying from 11.05% - 45.67% in a time-dependent manner. Results of locomotion assay also show time-varying increase in reversals (4.9%-34.03%) and omega bends (26.23%-62.17%) with reduction in turn counts (29.07%- 42.2%) and peristaltic speed (31.38%-42.22%) amongst exposed groups as to control. The present work shows behavioral alterations due to risperidone exposure (50 µM) in C. elegans is in a time-dependent manner. The study concludes that risperidone exposure in C. elegans produces toxic effects with time, possibly caused by antagonizing other receptors apart from serotonin (5-H2T) and dopamine (D2) adding to its expected pharmacological effects.

Research paper thumbnail of Assessment of lead toxicity on locomotion and growth in a nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 2020

Due to anthropogenic activities and natural abundance, lead exposure is a common phenomenon. Neur... more Due to anthropogenic activities and natural abundance, lead exposure is a common phenomenon. Neurotoxic and genotoxic effects of lead are widely known. Recent studies have suggested that lead exposure can affect young generation and transfer to the progeny thus posing a great threat for future generation. The present study was focused on lead toxicity in terms of locomotion and growth of Caenorhabditis elegans (N2 wild type) at three sub-lethal doses (3µM, 15 µM and 30 µM) of Pb (NO3)2 for 24 hours (sub-chronic exposure). Caenorhabditis elegans is a nematode with an established eco- toxicity marker model organism, due to its short life cycle and ease to monitor. After lead exposure, significant toxic manifestations were observed in locomotion of the nematode in terms of omega bends (+350% for 30 µM exposure dose, p<0.001), reversals (-26.98%, -49% and -66.35% for 3 µM, 15 µM and 30 µM exposure doses respectively, p<0.001), turn counts (-38.66%, -62.61% and -81.93% for 3 µM, 1...

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of co-exposure of aldrin and titanium dioxide nanoparticles at biochemical and molecular levels in Zebrafish

Environmental toxicology and pharmacology, 2018

Aldrin (ALD), a persistent-organic-pollutant (POP), an organochlorine-cyclodiene-pesticide is hig... more Aldrin (ALD), a persistent-organic-pollutant (POP), an organochlorine-cyclodiene-pesticide is highly toxic in nature. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TNP) are widely used for various industrial applications. Despite the remarkable research on pesticide toxicity, the work with impact of nanoparticles on POP has been dealt with marginally. Chemicals co-exist in the environment and exhibit interactive effects. An investigation was carried out to evaluate the individual and combined effects of ALD (6 ppm) and TNP (60 ppm) exposure at sub-lethal concentration for 24 h in zebrafish. Significant reversal of lipid peroxidation level in liver and brain tissues and restoration in enhanced catalase activity in all examined tissues were observed in combined group. For other parameters, combined exposure of ALD and TNP does not show significant reversal action on ALD toxicity. Further studies are inline to understand combined effects of both to achieve significant reversal of ALD toxicity by TNP...

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of sub-chronic low-level lead exposure on the homeostasis of copper and zinc in rat tissues

Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of comparative effect of pre- and posttreatment of selenium on mercury-induced oxidative stress, histological alterations, and metallothionein mRNA expression in rats

Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, 2010

To evaluate the effect of pre- or posttreatment of selenium (6 micromol/kg b.w., single intraperi... more To evaluate the effect of pre- or posttreatment of selenium (6 micromol/kg b.w., single intraperitoneal injection) in mercury intoxication, rats were exposed to mercury (12 micromol/kg b.w., single intraperitoneal injection). Exposure to mercury resulted in induced oxidative stress in liver, kidney, and brain tissues. Marked changes in serum biochemical parameters together with alterations in histopathology and an induction in metallothionein-I and metallothionein-II mRNA expression in the liver and kidney were observed. Pretreatment with selenium to mercury-exposed animals had protective effect on the liver, whereas posttreatment had partial protection on restoration of altered oxidative stress parameters. In the kidney, pretreatment with selenium showed partial protection on restoration of altered biochemical parameters, whereas no protection was observed in posttreatment. The pretreatment with selenium resulted in restoration of mercury-induced metallothionein-I and metallothionein-II mRNA expression, which was completely restored in the liver whereas partial restoration was observed in the kidney. Posttreatment with selenium resulted in further induction in metallothionein-I and metallothionein-II mRNA expression in the liver and kidney. In the brain, selenium showed partial protection on alerted biochemical parameters. Results indicate that pretreatment with selenium is beneficial in comparison to posttreatment in mercury intoxication. Thus, dietary intake of selenium within safe limit may, therefore, enable us in combating any foreseen effects due to mercury exposure.

Research paper thumbnail of Role of Selenium in Mercury Intoxication in Mice

Research paper thumbnail of Role of vitamin E in preventing acute mercury toxicity in rat

Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Lead-induced phospholipidosis and cholesterogenesis in rat tissues

Chemico-Biological Interactions, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Detoxification and antioxidant effects of curcumin in rats experimentally exposed to mercury

Journal of Applied Toxicology, 2010