The effect of ascorbic acid on Bitis arietans venom induced toxicity in rats

Ascorbic acid (AsAc) was tested to evaluate its ability to reverse the oxidative stress induced by envenoming. Test groups of rats were envenomed with sub-lethal doses (4.0 mg/kg s.c.) of Bitis arietans venom (BaV) whilst, single doses (500 mg/kg, orally) of AsAc were pre-administered in half of them. Blood samples were collected within three periods and levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and total-SH increased significantly, whilst, the ‘Venom + AsAc’ groups were significantly less than both, the respective ‘Venom’ groups and controls, at different periods. The antioxidant, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme level changes were trivial at the three periods, whilst, there were no changes in the ‘Venom + AsAc’ groups, compared with controls, except SOD which, became significant after 24 h. SCr and BUN levels were significantly higher than the controls within the three periods with variable degrees, whilst, the ‘Venom + AsAc’ group level changes were insignificant compared with controls and their respective ‘Venom’ groups at all periods. Blood urea Nitrogen (BUN), became significantly lower after 24 h. After 6 and 24 h AST levels were significantly higher than controls, whilst, ALT was not. Level changes of both AST and ALT ‘Venom + AsAc’ groups were insignificant, compared with controls at all periods. It is concluded that oxidative stress due to envenoming by BaV induced variable levels of significant changes in levels of nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic markers and antioxidant enzyme parameters. Administration of AsAc relatively adjusted these changes with different degrees, at variable periods of time that demands further deeper research in beneficiary mechanisms of antioxidants.