Ameliorative Potentials of Azadirachta indica (Neem Leaf) on Effects of Diclofenac on Haematological Parameters and Growth Rate of Heteroclarias

The uncontrolled release of diclofenac (DCF) effluents from the factories into the water bodies can cause physiological disorders in aquatic animals, especially fish. This study examined the haematological and growth responses of Heteroclarias exposed to six definitive concentrations (0.0. 4.0, 8.0, 12.0, 16.0 & 20.0 mg/l) of DCF for 96 h and evaluated the ameliorative potentials of Azadirachta indica (Neem leaf) through different percentage (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4%) inclusion in the fish diet for a period of 30 d. At the end of the exposure and ameliorative periods, the fish were sacrificed, and blood samples from both the control and DCF-exposed-groups were collected for haematological assay. The value of lethal concentration that caused 50% mortality during acute toxicity (96 h LC50) was determined as 10.8 mg/L. In the DCFexposed-fish, red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (HB), and packed cell volume (PCV) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. In contrast, white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes, and platelets showed significant (P < 0.05) increase as DCF concentration increased. During the chronic test, fish fed on a diet supplemented with 1% neem leaf revealed increased (P < 0.05) erythrocyte levels and reduced leukocyte levels with great improvement in the weight gain and the specific growth rates. These results indicate that DCF is toxic to Heteroclarias, but dietary supplementation with 1% neem leaf for 30 d can minimize the fish's physiological disorder by improving the erythrocyte levels and the specific growth rate.