Objective: To evaluate the protective effects of lycopene (LYC) against carbofuran induced biochemical and immunological alterations, and hepatonephrotoxicity in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. Methods: Catfish were allocated into six groups each containing 10 fish. Group (I): control, Group (II): administered corn oil orally, Group (III): administrated (18 mg /kg b.w.) lycopene (LYC) orally, Group (IV): exposed to carbofuran (1/10 LC50), Group (V): exposed to carbofuran (1/10 LC50) and administrated (9 mg /kg b.w.) lycopene (LYC) orally and Group (VI): exposed to carbofuran (1/10 LC50) and administrated (18 mg /kg b.w.) lycopene (LYC) orally, respectively for 4 weeks. Results: Carbofuran decreased serum total protein and albumin levels. Meanwhile, serum ALP, AST, ALT, creatinine, urea and Immune parameters such as immunoglobulin level, alternative complement activity, and lysozyme activity were significantly higher in the groups exposed to carbofuran and administered (LYC) orally (9 mg/kg b.w. & 18 mg/kg b.w.) than the control fish. The activity of LPO, SOD and CAT enzymes in both the liver and kidney tissues were also increased. Oral administration with (LYC) restored the values of the tested parameters near the values of control fish. This improvement was more evident in the high dose of (LYC) (18 mg /kg b.w). Conclusion: It could be concluded that oral administration of cultured fish with (LYC) could be able to ameliorate the toxic effects induced by carbofuran.

 

Keywords: Lycopene, Clarias gariepinus, Carbofuran, Immunty, biochemical profile, Oxidative stress.