Abstract

TOXICITY ASSESSMENT OF AZITHROMYCIN: INSIGHTS FROM THE SILKWORM EXPERIMENTAL MODEL

Saravanan Raja*, Karthik Annamalai

ABSTRACT

Azithromycin, a widely used macrolide antibiotic, is valued for its broad-spectrum efficacy and favourable pharmacokinetics, but concerns regarding its potential toxicity and environmental impact necessitate further investigation. This study utilises silkworm (Bombyx mori) larvae as an alternative model to assess the toxicity profile of azithromycin, leveraging their physiological similarities to mammals and suitability for high-throughput screening. Silkworms were exposed to varying concentrations of azithromycin (10–500 µg/ml), and its effects were evaluated through antifeedant activity, α-amylase inhibition, catalase enzymatic activity, and protein and lipid content analyses. Results revealed an antifeedant concentration-dependent impact, with the highest concentration (500 µg/ml) eliciting 93.34% antifeedant activity. Catalase activity remained stable at higher concentrations but decreased significantly at 10 µg/ml. α-Amylase inhibition was moderate, with a maximum of 16.36% at 500 µg/ml and an IC50 of 71.26 µg/ml. Protein and lipid contents were highest at 500 µg/ml, with mean values of 0.31 mg/g and 6.49 mg/g, respectively. These findings suggest that azithromycin has a mild toxicity toward silkworms, with implications for its ecological impact in agricultural settings. The study underscores the utility of silkworm models in toxicological assessments. It highlights the need for further research into azithromycin’s effects on non-target organisms to ensure environmental safety and inform its clinical use.

Keywords: Silkworm, Azithromycin, Catalase, Inhibition, Toxicity.