Efficacy of lime in ameliorating arsenic-induced toxicity in swiss albino mice Bag Indu1, Das Priyata1, Chattopadhyay Amit1,*, Dey Chiranjeeb2, Mukherjee Sandip3, Ghosh Priyanka3 1Vector Molecular Biology Unit Department of Zoology for UG and PG Studies, Serampore College, Serampore, Hooghly, West Bengal, India 2Parasitology and Immunology Unit Department of Zoology for UG and PG Studies, Serampore College, Serampore, Hooghly, West Bengal, India 3Endocrinology & Reproductive Physiology Unit Department of Physiology, Serampore College, Serampore, Hooghly, West Bengal, India *Corresponding author: chattopadhyayamit5@gmail.com
Online published on 26 March, 2025. Abstract This study investigates the hepatotoxic effects of arsenic and the potential ameliorative role of lime in mice. The experiment involved three groups: a non-treated control group, an arsenic-treated group that received arsenic (5 mg/kg body weight/day for 14 days), and an arsenic with lime treated group which received both arsenic and lime supplementation (25 mg/kg body weight/day for 14 days). Post-treatment, liver function was assessed through enzyme assays measuring AST, ALT and ALP levels and additionally liver, kidney and testes tissues were examined histologically to evaluate configurational modifications. Results indicated significant elevation of liver enzyme levels in the arsenic group compared to the control, signifying hepatic injury, with histological findings showing severe hepatocyte necrosis, inflammation, and early fibrosis. Conversely, the arsenic with lime treated group showed markedly lower enzyme levels and improved histological features, with reduced necrosis, inflammation and fibrosis, suggesting a protective effect of lime against arsenic-induced liver damage. Arsenic exposure caused structural alterations in the kidneys, changes in periglomerular space, eosinophilic casts, and mononuclear infiltration and causes adverse effects on testicular cells, increase Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Leydig cell loss, decreased sperm quality, potential leading to infertility. These findings underscore the severe hepatotoxicity induced by arsenic and suggest that lime’s antioxidant properties may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby protecting liver and kidney function and improving sperm quality. The study implies that the antioxidant properties of lime might contribute to its effectiveness in mitigating arsenic-induced toxicity. Top Keywords Arsenic toxicity, Liver enzymes, Inflammation, Histopathology, Lime supplementation. Top |