Abstract
Acute toxicity of a neem pesticide (Vepacide‐Tech) was studied in male Wistar rats by oral (single) intubation for 7 days. Vepacide was found to be moderately toxic to rat based on LD50 value. Subacute toxicity of Vepacide‐Tech was also studied in male rats by oral (multiple) intubation of low (80 mg Kg‐1 day‐1), medium (160 mg Kg‐1 day‐1) and high dose (320 mg Kg‐1 day‐1) for 90 days. High dose caused a significant decrease in Cytochrome P‐450 (Cyt.P‐450) concentration at 45 and 90 days and the medium dose caused same effect at 90th day in liver and lung. Kidney showed similar effect at 90 days by the three doses. Cytochrome b5 (Cyt. b5) concentration was significantly decreased in liver, lung and kidney at 45 and 90 days at medium and high doses. Brain Cyt.b5 concentration was decreased on 90th day at high dose. Cytochrome P‐450 reductase (Cyt.P‐450 reductase) concentration was decreased significantly in liver and brain at 45 and 90 days, respectively at medium and high doses. The withdrawal study (28 days) has shown significant recovery. These results demonstrate that low levels exposure of Vepacide may have significant effect on the xenobiotic detoxification mechanism of different tissues of rat.