Ecotoxicity of naproxen and its phototransformation products

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2005-09, Vol.348 (1), p.93-101
• Main Authors: Isidori, Marina, Lavorgna, Margherita, Nardelli, Angela, Parrella, Alfredo, Previtera, Lucio, Rubino, Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Anostraca - drug effects; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - chemistry; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - radiation effects; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - toxicity; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Chlorophyta - drug effects; Chlorophyta - growth & development; Cladocera - drug effects; Cladocera - physiology; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Genotoxicity; Lethal Dose 50; Mutagenesis; Naproxen; Naproxen - chemistry; Naproxen - radiation effects; Naproxen - toxicity; Photochemistry; Reproduction - drug effects; Rotifera; Rotifera - drug effects; Rotifera - physiology; Toxicity testing; Toxicity Tests, Acute; Toxicity Tests, Chronic; Water Pollutants, Chemical - radiation effects; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2004.12.068

The occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the environment is of great concern and only few data are available about the adverse effects of such molecules and their derivatives on non-target aquatic organisms. This study was designed to assess the toxic potential of Naproxen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, Naproxen Na, its freely water soluble sodium salt and their photoproducts in the aquatic environment. Bioassays were performed on algae, rotifers and microcrustaceans to assess acute and chronic toxicity. Furthermore, possible genotoxic effects of photoderivatives were investigated using SOS chromotest and Ames fluctuation test. The results showed that photoproducts were more toxic than the parent compounds both for acute and chronic values, while genotoxic and mutagenic effects were not found. These findings suggested the opportunity to consider derivatives in ecotoxicology assessment of drugs.