Ameliorative Effect of Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants on Arsenic Toxicity in Male Mice: Biochemical and Histological Perspectives

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of some natural and artificial antioxidants on the hepato-renal injuries induced by arsenic toxicity. Sixty adult male albino mice weighing 30-40 g were subjected to a sub-lethal dose of sodium arsenate (40 mg/kg body weight) to investigate hematological, biochemical and histopathological alterations resulting from arsenic-induced hepato-renal toxicity. Arsenic-exposed mice were also co-treated with different antioxidants including green tea, garlic and vitamin C to reveal their potential protective role. The antioxidants induced normalization of all blood parameters that showed significant declines by arsenic toxicity. ALT and AST activities were significantly increased in sodium arsenate treated group compared to all other groups. These enzymes did not acquire insignificant differences in antioxidants-treated groups compared to the control mice. Creatinine and urea were significantly increased in arsenate treated mice and become normal in mice co-treated with different antioxidants. Liver sections of arsenate treated mice showed venous congestion, sinusoidal dilatation, mononuclear cell infiltration and periportal fibrosis. Renal sections in the same groups revealed interstitial hemorrhages, mononuclear cell infiltration, glomerulonephritis and proximal tubular necrosis. Hepato-renal histopathology was greatly reduced, particularly, in groups received combined antioxidants. The used antioxidants, therefore, exhibited potential protection against hepato-renal induced arsenic toxicity.