Protective effect of Corchorus olitorius leaves on sodium arsenite-induced toxicity in experimental rats

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of aqueous extract of Corchorus olitorius leaves (AECO) against sodium arsenite-induced toxicity in experimental rats. The animals exposed to sodium arsenite at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight p.o. for 10 days exhibited a significant inhibition (p < 0.01) of hepatic and renal antioxidant enzymes namely superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. In addition, arsenic intoxication significantly decreased (p < 0.01) the level of reduced glutathione and increased (p < 0.01) the levels of oxidized glutathione and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in selected tissues. Treatment with AECO at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight p.o. for 15 days prior to arsenic intoxication significantly improved hepatic and renal antioxidant markers in a dose dependant manner. AECO treatment also significantly reduced the arsenic-induced DNA fragmentation of hepatic and renal tissues. Histological studies on the ultrastructural changes of liver and kidney supported the protective activity of the AECO. The results concluded that the treatment with AECO prior to arsenic intoxication has significant role in protecting animals from arsenic-induced hepatic and renal toxicity.