Phytoremedial effect of Asparagus racemosus on sodium arsenite-induced toxicity in Charles Foster rats

Arsenic poisoning has recently resulted in significant health problems in the exposed population. In India, the Indo-Gangetic plains are the region where the arsenic threat has increased. In Bihar, it is estimated that 10 million people are exposed to arsenic poisoning. The present study aims to develop a novel drug as an antidote against arsenic-induced toxicity in rats. In the present study, arsenic in sodium arsenite at a dose of 8 mg/kg body weight per day was induced (Group-II) in Charles Foster rats at 2 or 6 months to observe chronic exposure. In the arsenic pretreated group (Group-III), Asparagus racemosus was administered at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight per day for 8 weeks. Normal control group (Group I) was taken without any treatment. After completion of the entire experiment, the animals were sacrificed, and their blood samples were obtained for hematological and biochemical evaluation. At the same time, vital tissues, such as the liver and kidney, were fixed in preservatives for the histopathological study. The study showed that the hematological levels, such as RBC, WBC, platelet counts and hemoglobin percentage, were significantly restored by administering A. racemosus (Group-III), against the arsenic-exposed group. Furthermore, biochemical parameters such as SGPT, SGOT, ALP, bilirubin, urea, uric acid and creatinine were significantly recovered (p<0.05) against arsenic-induced toxicity. The histopathological study also showed remarkable restoration in hepatocytes and nephrocytes by A. racemosus against arsenic-induced toxicity. Therefore, it can be concluded from the entire study that A. racemosus has a significant antidote effect against arsenic-induced toxicity.