Toxicity assessment of Diclofenac and its biodegradation metabolites toward mice

Biodegradation of the anti-inflammatory drug Diclofenac (DCF) was studied using Enterobacter cloacae (D16) isolated from household compost. This isolate was able to eliminate 67.57% of DCF as sole carbon source after 48 h of incubation. Parallel to its disappearance, five metabolites were observed in microbial active samples which were suspected to be the DCF metabolites. GCMS showed a very similar spectrum of these metabolites with the MS spectrum of the parent compound. DCF Toxicity at different concentrations (toxic dose, therapeutic dose, and low dose) and its metabolites toxicity toward mice liver cells were evaluated. At toxic and therapeutic doses DCF had a negative effect on the oxidative stress parameters represented by a decrease in Reduced Glutathione reserve, lipid peroxidation and a disturbance of the liver detoxification enzymes (superoxide dismutase, Catalase, and glutathione S-transferase). In contrast, no effect was observed after treatment of animals with low dose and DCF biotransformation products.