Combined toxicity of therapeutic pharmaceuticals to duckweed, Lemna minor

Pharmaceuticals, which are designed to be biologically active at low concentrations, found in surface waters, meaning aquatic organisms can exposed complex mixtures of pharmaceuticals. In this study, the adverse effects four pharmaceuticals, 17?-ethynylestradiol (synthetic estrogen), methotrexate (anticancer drug), diclofenac (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and fluoxetine (antidepressant), their binary mg/L concentrations were assessed using 7-day Lemna minor test, with both apical biochemical markers evaluated. The studied included chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids oxidative stress enzymes catalase, glutathione-S-transferase glutathione reductase, compared solvent controls. on dose-dependent for frond number, area, relative content activity S-transferase individual pharmaceuticals mixtures. According toxicity values, all tested considered as toxic or harmful organisms, highly toxic. most sensitive endpoints photosynthetic pigments observed concentration range. addition model unit approach gave similar mixture predictions, exhibiting synergistic effects. contrast, fluoxetine, mostly showed additive While expected water, chronic ecotoxicological data invertebrates fish lacking, but is required better assess environmental risk methotrexate.