Ameliorative effect Trichosanthes dioica root against experimentally induced arsenic toxicity in male albino rats

The present study evaluated the ameliorative potential of hydroalcoholic extract of Trichosanthes dioica root (TDA) against arsenic induced toxicity in male albino rats. TDA (5 and 10 mg/kg) was administered orally to rats for 20 consecutive days before oral administration of sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg) for 8 days. Then the body weights, organ weights, haematological profiles, serum biochemical profile; hepatic and renal antioxidative parameters viz. lipid peroxidation, reduced and oxidized glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and DNA fragmentation were evaluated. Pretreatment with TDA markedly and significantly normalized body weights, organ weights, haematological profiles, serum biochemical profile and significantly modulated all the hepatic and renal biochemical parameters and reduced DNA fragmentation in arsenic intoxicated rats. The present findings conclude that T. dioica root possessed remarkable ameliorative effect against arsenic induced organ toxicity in male albino rats mediated by alleviation of arsenic induced oxidative stress by multiple mechanisms.

► The roots of Trichosanthes dioica are traditionally used for medicinal purposes in India.
► The protective effect of T. dioica root extract (TDA) against arsenic induced toxicity in albino rats was evaluated.
► TDA was treated orally to rats for 20 days prior to arsenic intoxication for 8 days.
► Then different hematological, serum, hepatic and renal parameters were evaluated.
► Results revealed marked ameliorative effect of TDA in arsenic treated rats by alleviation of oxidative stress.