AMELIORATIVE ACTIVITY OF ASCORBIC ACID (AA) ON PARAQUAT (PQ) INDUCED SERUM BIOCHEMICAL ALTERATIONS IN EXPERIMENTAL RATS

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of ascorbic acid on paraquat induced serum biochemical alterations in experimental rats. Forty-eight (48) male albino Wistarrats were randomized into four (4) groups consisting of twelve (12) in each. Group 1- Control. Group 2 ? Paraquat at the rate of 40 mg/kg b.wt. Group 3 ? Ascorbic acid at the rate of 250 mg/kg b.wt. Group 4 ? Paraquat at the rate of 40 mg/kg b.wt + Ascorbic acid at the rate of 250 mg/kg b.wt. The treatment regimens were administered by oral gavage once daily for twenty-one (21) days. Significantly (P<0.05) increased activity of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine and significantly (P<0.05) decreased activity of total protein was observed in group 2 on 7th and 21st day of experiment. Co-treatment with ascorbic acid showed a remarkable protection against the parameters investigated possibly via antioxidant defence mechanism.