Phenytoin as an emerging pollutant on non-target aquatic invertebrates: effects on Lamellidens marginalis

Pharmaceutical drugs have detrimental effects on aquatic organisms and change the ecological implications of the aquatic ecosystem. The present study was designed to examine the acute exposure (seven days) effect of phenytoin on the physiological parameters (condition index, filtration rate (FR), and clearance rate (CR)), metabolic capacity (electron transport system activity), energy reserves content (glycogen and protein concentrations), and oxidative biomarkers (antioxidant and biotransformation enzymes activities, lipid peroxidation levels) in the freshwater mussels Lamellidens marginalis. After experimentation, decrease in gill FR (60–25 mL gDW−1 h−1), nitric oxide generation (0.13–0.121%), CR (0.14–0.043 mL mg−1 DW h−1) variations in energy reserves and antioxidant oxidative biomarkers were observed. Additionally, histological analysis shows damage to gills ciliated epithelium, damaged interlamellar junction and water tubes in the increased concentration groups. The results of the study indicated modifications to L. marginalis physiological and biochemical parameters as well as critical oxidative defenses against extrinsic hazardous threat. Phenytoin might damage L. marginalis at its cellular level by limiting their ability to thrive, grow, as well as adapt to undesirable circumstances.