Effect of Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit on Arsenic Induced Oxidative Changes in Albino Rats

Objective: The study was undertaken to assess the antiperoxide effect of Hibiscus esculentus fruit on various tissues, blood cell counts and haemoglobin of arsenite exposed albino rats. Materials and methods: H.esculentus fruit extract (200 mg/kg body wt/day) obtained by continuous hot percolation in soxhlet apparatus and was administered orally to albino rats. Its protective effect was determined on sodium arsenite induced lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels of various tissues, blood cell counts and haemoglobin of rats. Results: A significant reduction in arsenic induced LPO in brain, heart, lungs and liver was observed after the administration of H.esculentus fruit extract. The blood lactate and SOD levels in tissues decreases when the extract was given with arsenite. There was a significant increase in RBC, WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, haemoglobin and percentage of body weight in rats administered with H.esculentus. Conclusion: These results indicate that people exposed to higher levels of arsenite can increase their intake of H.esculentus, as the quercetin 3-O-glucoside which is the major antioxidant of H.esculentus has a possible protective role on LPO status of certain tissues and blood cell counts of arsenic exposed rats.