IN SILICO HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION FOR THE ANTIBIOTIC ENROFLOXACIN

Abstract

Enrofloxacin is an effective veterinary antibiotic in the treatment of bacterial infections in production animals, such as cattle, pigs and poultry, due to its broad spectrum of action against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This drug, belonging to the class of fluoroquinolones, is synthesized exclusively for veterinary use and acts by inhibiting DNA-gyrase, an enzyme essential for the replication of bacterial DNA. However, the use of Enrofloxacin presents challenges, such as the generation of waste that contaminates the environment, affecting both soils and waters. In addition, these residues can enter the food chain, contaminating humans. The absence of specific studies on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of Enrofloxacin, both in humans and in the environment, exacerbates these challenges. For this study, computer modeling of the two-dimensional (2D) chemical structure of Enrofloxacin was performed, followed by three-dimensional (3D) visualization. Subsequently, in silico environmental and human toxicological evaluations were conducted in order to determine the possible toxic impacts of the antibiotic. Enrofloxacin has been observed to contribute to environmental and human contamination, highlighting the importance of conducting additional studies to assess its impacts on humans and the environment.