Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) induces apoptosis and necrosis mediated cell death through mitochondrial membrane potential damage and elevated production of reactive oxygen species in PLHC-1 fish cell line

► In vitro data's relevance to environmental arsenic exposure in whole fish is discussed. ► Mechanism of arsenic induced toxicity is similar to that observed in mammalian cell lines. ► This study represents a comprehensive approach, with several assays performed for the first time in PLHC-1 cells. ► Arsenic trioxide induced cell death is mediated by elevated production of ROS and mitochondrial damage. ► Arsenic trioxide induces both apoptotic and necrotic DNA damage as shown by comet assay.