Cytotoxicity, Acute and Sub-acute Study of Aluminium Phosphide in Rats, Toad and Rabbit

Background and Objective: Aluminium phosphide is a pesticide widely used in our countries, particularly for the preservation of foodstuffs. The phosphine released in contact causes harmful and fatal toxic effects. In this study, the low-dose toxicity induced by aluminium phosphide was evaluated. Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity was studied on Artemia salina larvae. The acute toxicity test was carried out at doses of 1.5; 3; 5 and 10 mg/kg. The 10 day repeat dose toxicity was performed at doses of 0.312; 0.625 and 1.25 mg/kg. The cardiotoxicity study was carried out on toad hearts with concentrations between 0.01 and 4 mg/mL. Studies on the isolated intestine were carried out in rabbits. Cardiac toxicity has also been reported in toad hearts. Results: The aluminium phosphide was very toxic with an LC₅₀ equal to 3.70 μg/mL and an LD₅₀ less than 5 mg/kg. During repeated dose toxicity, aluminium phosphide induced deaths at administered doses. It did not cause any variation in average body weight and relative organ weight after 10 days of administration. However, it significantly caused an increase in ALP and a decrease in AST at doses of 0.312; 0.625 mg/kg. At a dose of 0.625 mg/kg it significantly increased the number of platelets and reduced CPK. Acetylcholine did not contract the intestine after exposure to aluminium phosphide. Conclusion: The demonstrated that even at low doses, aluminium phosphide remains very dangerous and deadly. The lack of an antidote must lead to strict measures being taken on the marketing and control of this pesticide and the search for an effective treatment.