IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (IOSR-JPBS) e-ISSN: 2278-3008, p-ISSN:2319-7676. Volume 9, Issue 3 Ver. V (May -Jun. 2014), PP 41-43 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 41 | Page Effect of Baygon Insecticide on the Activities of Total, Alkaline and Acid Phosphatases of Selected Tissues of Albino Rats * 1 Igwenyi, I. O., 1 Aboh, N., 2 Nwachukwu, N., 1 Ibiam, U. A., 1 Offor, C. E., 1 Aja, P. M. And 1 Agbafor, K. N. 1 Department of Biochemistry, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria 2 Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria Abstract: Effects of “Baygon” (a combination of proporxur, dichlorovos and cyfluthrin) on serum and liver enzymes of albino rats were determined using standard scientific methods, after exposure to the insecticide. Twenty five rats were used for the study and grouped into five according to exposure time that ranged from zero (control) to 1440 minutes. Mean serum and liver alkaline phosphatase activities of the experimental animals increased significantly (p<0.05) upon exposure to the insectside. However, the activity in group E exposed for 1440 minutes showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in both the serum and liver homogenate. This is indicative of possible recovery over time. The mean activities of serum and liver acid phosphatase showed no significant difference (p> 0.05) relative to the control. Prostatic acid phosphatase increased upon exposure but decreased with time in the serum. Thus exposure to Baygon insecticide for even a short time alters liver enzymes activities and by extension, liver function. These distortions and fluctuations in activities of the liver enzymes in the serum and liver homogenates after exposure to Baygon insecticide is an indication of hepatotoxic effect of the insecticides while the results observed after prolonged exposure showed that there was possible recovery with time. Key words: Insecticide; enzymes; liver; serum, toxicity. I. Introduction Every organism is exposed to xenobiotic substances, which may voluntarily or involuntarily be produced from the external or internal environment. Such substances inevitably may provoke some biochemical reactions in order to annul or reduce their toxic effect. Insecticides are agents of chemical or biological origin that control insects (George and David, 2004). It is widely used to combat mosquitoes (vector of malaria parasite), cockroaches (that spread diseases) and other insects that terrorize tropical Africa. The discovery in Europe in 1939 of the insecticidal value of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), a synthetic organic compound led to the synthesis of thousands of organic molecules in search of potent chemicals. At the same time, insecticidal organophosphorus compounds were developed in Germany (Carson, 1962). Baygon insecticide is the commonest insecticide used in the fight against malaria in Nigeria. The effect of insecticides on different tissues of an organism, which will partially have a pronounced toxicity on their physiological activities, is a function of the type of biochemical components (such as enzymes) that are the target of the active ingredient(s) of the insecticide preparation. Owing to this, the effect of Baygon insecticide (an insecticide with combined actions of proporxur; an organophosphate, dichlorovos; a carbamate insecticide and cyfluthrin; a synthetic pyrethroid) in some rat tissues may depend on the concentrations of the target enzymes in the target organs and frequency of exposure, which may either result in acute or chronic toxicity (Bohmont, 1990). Toxicity is the innate capacity of a chemical to be poisonous. However, all poisoning is dose dependent and toxic response depends on the size of the dose in relation to the size of the victim and extent of exposure. It has been reported that exposure to high doses of insecticides can damage the liver (Tomei et al., 1998). Baygon insecticide is composed of three major ingredients, each of which can serve as an insecticide if used alone. It is composed of 1% proporxur, which belongs to a carbamate insecticide; 1% dichlororvos belonging to organophosphorus insecticides and 0.04% cyfluthrin (Bohmont, 1990). Consequently, each of the three can exhibit individual and collective (synergistic) effects on biological systems (Hassal, 1990). In mammals, some internal organs are usually affected and clinical assessment of extent of toxicity would be necessary by measuring the concentration (activity) of certain enzymes, which catalyze sensitive biochemical reactions in such tissues. The target of clinical investigation is an evaluation and comparative analyses of tissues, organs and systems that are involved in metabolism, excretion and other processes. Such systems include nervous, hepatic, urinary, hematological and cardiac systems. Obstruction of normal functioning and changes in the normal level or activities of certain measurable biochemical parameters form the basis for predicting the course of a clinical investigation. Liver function tests