Therapeutic Role of Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Against Copper-Induced Toxicity in Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala.

For decades hemp has been used as a therapeutic agent for enhancing immunity in animals. Current study was conceptualized to find out the protective role of dietary hemp seed products (hemp seed oil (HO) and hemp seed (HS)) against copper-induced toxicity in fish. Fingerlings of Labeo rohita (Rohu) and Cirrhinus mrigala (Mrigal) were exposed to copper at 20% of the 96 h LC50 (1.34 and 1.52 ppm, respectively) for 30 days. Following Cu exposure, fish were maintained on two types of hemp (Cannabis sativa)-supplemented feeds, on graded levels of hemp seed oil (HO: 1%, 2%, 3%) and hemp seed (HS: 5%, 10%, 15%) for 50 days, while one group was the control (without any copper exposure as well as any supplementation). Copper exposure significantly increased (P < 0.05) WBCs, hematocrit, MCHV, eosinophils, and lymphocytes in L. rohita and also in C. mrigala as compared to control. Copper exposure also significantly (P < 0.05) changed lysozymes, plasma protein, and IgM in both species, in comparison to control. Moreover, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, and aspartate transaminase were significantly (P < 0.05) changed by copper exposure in comparison to control in both species. Additionally, Antioxidant enzymes like catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase were also significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the brain, gills, liver, and muscle of copper-exposed group in both species as compared to control. Interestingly, all the altered parameter of blood, serum, liver function tests, and antioxidant enzymes (in different organs) because of copper toxicity were successfully reverted to normal level in hemp seed oil (HO) and hemp seed (HS)-supplemented fed groups of both species. In conclusion, hemp seed supplementation showed significant (P < 0.05) improved results against copper toxicity. Thus, it could be recommended as an animal feed ingredient for its therapeutic role.

Hemp (Marijuana) reverted Copper-induced toxic effects on the essential fatty acid profile of Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala.

Heavy metals pollution affects the nutritive value of fish. This study examined if the inclusion of dietary hempseed (HS) and hempseed oil (HO) in the diet of the fish could revert the copper-induced toxic effects on muscle fatty acid profile of rohu (Labeo rohita) and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala). Fingerlings of both species were exposed to a sub-lethal concentration of copper i.e., 20% of LC50 (1.34 ppm for rohu and 1.52 ppm for mrigal) for 96 h for 30 days. Following exposure, fish were maintained on graded levels of HO (1, 2 and 3%) or on HS (5, 10 and 15%) for 50 days. Copper exposure showed a significant effect on the fatty acid composition of both species; increased their saturated (SFA) to unsaturated (USFA) and altered their omega-3/omega-6 (ω-3/ω-6) ratios. However, feeding graded levels of hempseed products reverted the toxic effects of copper on the fatty acid profile of both the species, significantly increased muscle total fatty acid contents, improved ω-3/ω-6 ratios, and decreased SFA / USFA ratio in % inclusion dependent manner. Furthermore, hempseed product showed a species-specific effect on USFA. The ω-3/ω-6 ratios decreased in the muscle of C. mrigala whereas an increasing trend with an increase in hempseed product % inclusion was observed in L. rohita. Moreover, HS showed a higher impact on both species as compared to HO. With the findings of this study, hempseed product could be recommended as a feed ingredient for enhancing the essential fatty acid contents of fish which in turn can have a good impact on consumer health.