Toxic/protective effects of some antioxidants on the copper sulfate induced toxicity in Allium cepa

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Pharmacy, Life Science Faculty, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj (Dhaka)-8100, Bangladesh

10.18576/jpac/060202

Abstract

Certain substance can exert toxicogenetic effects in our body. Antioxidants can counteract these effects due to
their protective effects. This study aims at evaluating the toxic/protective effects of some antioxidants on the copper sulfate
(CuSO4) induced toxicity in a eukaryotic test system. For this, ascorbic acid (AA), quercetin (QUR) and phytol (PHY) at
25, 40 and 75 25 μg/mL were exposed in Allium cepa up to 72 h by taking distilled water and CuSO4 (0.6 μg/mL) as a
vehicle (Veh) and positive control, respectively. To see the protective capacity, each antioxidant was combinedly treated
with the 0.6 μg/mL of CuSO4. After 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure of test sample and/or control groups, the root length was
measured in mm. The results suggest that AA, QUR and PHY decreased the root length in A. cepa, but the values were
lower than the CuSO4. All the antioxidant co-treated with the CuSO4 have been augmented %root growth profile in the test
system. The highest %increased root growth was observed in AA + CuSO4 group at 72 h. QUR increased root growth in a
time-dependent manner, suggesting an adaptive effect of this antioxidant in A. cepa meristem. PHY also exhibited a timedependent
protective effect up to 48 h, however, it did not augment % root growth at 72 h inspect of 48 h. Taken together,
this study suggests antioxidant-mediated protective effects against toxicogenetic agent in eukaryotic system.

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