Abstract

MODULATORY ACTIVITY OF RHIZOMES OF WITHANIA SOMNIFERA AGAINST ENDOSULFAN INDUCED HEPATIC DEGENERATION IN FRESH WATER AIR BREATHING FISH CLARIAS BATRACHUS

G.B. Chand*, Rizwan Ahmad & Prakash Singh

Abstract

Effect of aqueous extract of root of Withania somnifera (WSR) on the biochemical alteration in few profiles of Liver Function Test (LFT) and histopathological anomalies in hepatic tissue of endosulfan induced fish was investigated. Serum Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT), Asperate Amino Transferase(AST),Alkaline Phosphatase(ALP) and Acid Phosphatase(ACP) showed a significant rise in test group (4 ppb & 8 ppb endosulfan treated). Dilation of nuclear membrane, congregation of heterochromatin on the inner nuclear membrane, broken array of cisternae of endoplamic reticulum were prominent histopathological alterations incurred in liver tissues due to endosulfan exposure at transmission electron microscope (TEM) level. The animals were subjected to aqueous WSR extract @ 50 mg/kg body weight) for 14 days by gavage method. A significant decrease in ALT, AST, ALP and ACP level in curative group (WSR treatment in endosulfan exposed group) was observed. Besides these groups showed nearly 70% restoration in the cytoarchitecture of hepatic cells. Biochemical and histopathological findings highlight the modulatory effect of aqueous WSR extract against endosulfan induced hepatic injury in fish.

Keywords: Endosulfan, Withania somnifera, Clarias batrachus, ALT, AST, ALP, ACP.