Journal of Environmental Biology

Amelioration of arsenic toxicity by L-Ascorbic acid in laboratory rat

Sohini Singh and S.V.S. Rana*

Department of Zoology, Toxicology Laboratory, Ch. Charan Singh University, Meerut-250 004, India

(Received: October 28, 2005 ; Revised received: July 25, 2006 ; Accepted: August 30, 2006)

Abstract: A study, so as to confirm the protective effects of L-ascorbic acid against inorganic arsenic (As₂O₃) toxicity was made in male Wistar rats. Multiphase observations made on iAs concentration in target organs viz. liver and kidney, liver function, histopathological changes, ultrastructural alterations, lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress and iAs-DNA interaction strongly favoured its ameliorative effects. These effects could mainly be attributed to its antioxidative property. It offers help in regeneration of GSH and a-tocopherol. The chelation of iAs by ascorbic acid has also been hypothesized. Inhibition of DNA damage by ascorbic acid in liver and kidney appears to be the most significant part of this study. On the basis of these results, we conclude that administration of L-ascorbic acid to arsenic affected population may prevent the occurrence of fatal human diseases.

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