Acute Toxicological Evaluation of Low Dose Methyl 2-benzimidazole Carbamate Fungicide on Male Albino Rats

Background: Methyl 2-benzimidazole carbamate (carbendazim) is a synthetic fungicide used against organisms that cause different types of plant diseases. It is widely used as a preservative in leather, paint, textile, fruit, and paper industry. It is also used as an anticancer drug in clinical medicine. Methods: To evaluate the low dose toxicity of this compound in mammalian tissues, carbendazim was administered to male albino rats at 5, 10, 25, and 50 mM doses intradermally. At 6, 12 and 24 hours, blood samples were collected from the animals for analysis of biochemical and haematological parameters including serum enzyme activities. Results: The findings indicated that carbendazim caused a decrease in serum total protein , ALT, AST, ALP and amylase activities. GGT activity decreased by 6hr and increased by 12hr in a dose-related manner. Carbendazim caused an increase in serum cholesterol, uric acid, glucose, and creatinine content while serum phosphorous content decreased. Mean hemoglobin, WBC, E, and platelet counts increased and total RBC, N and L counts decreased. Tissues (brain, heart, liver, kidney, and testis) taken from 50mM dose administered rat for histopathological examination revealed liquefactive necrosis of blood vessels, fibrosis, dialated parenchyma, hemorrhage, and edema in the brain tissue. In heart, necrosis and loss of nuclei in cardiac muscle cells were noted. Conclusion: Low dose level of carbendazim causes toxicological effects in the rat tissues.