Pesticides are ecotoxicants known for their residual toxic effect. Their toxicity varies with species to species depending on the chemical nature of the compound. In the present study, a Carbendazim (CBZ) a fungicide which is widely been used in agriculture and horticulture practices was evaluated to see the toxic effect on subacute exposure in male rats and the potential role of endo-exo-antioxidant (vitamin C) in mitigating the toxicosis, if any. Animals were exposed to three doses of CBZ and one dose of vit. C alone and in co-exposure by oral gavage. Exposure to CBZ causes significant (p<0.05) alterations in hematological and biochemicals in a dose-dependent manner. No significant (p>0.05) change in mineral (Ca and P) was noticed at end of the exposure period. Biochemical values indicate that the CBZ has a marked hepatic toxic effect. The intervention of vit. C in CBZ treated animals resulted in a significant reversal (p<0.05) effect on hematological and biochemicals when they compared with respective alone CBZ treated animals. The present study suggested that the vit. C supplementation had a beneficial effect on mitigating the adverse effect caused by CBZ on a long-term basis.
Vitamin C, Carbendazim, Mitigation, Hematology, Biochemicals, Ecotoxicant
