title: Reduction of Sodium Arsenite-Mediated Adverse Effects in Mice using Dietary Supplementation of Water Hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) Root Powder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of water Hyacinth Root Powder (HRP) on arsenic-mediated toxic effects in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Swiss albino mice, used in this study, were divided into four different groups (for each group n=5). The control group was supplied with normal feed and water, Arsenic group (As-group) was supplied with normal feed plus arsenic (sodium arsenite)-containing water, and arsenic+hyacinth group (As+Hy group) was supplied with feed supplemented with HRP plus arsenic water. The remaining Hy-group was supplied with feed supplemented with HRP plus normal water.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oral administration of arsenic reduced the normal growth of the mice as evidenced by weight loss. Interestingly, tip of the tails of these mice developed wound that caused gradual reduction of the tail length. Supplementation of HRP in feed significantly prevented mice growth retardation and tail wounding in As+Hy group mice. However, the growth pattern in Hy-group mice was observed to be almost similar to that of the control group indicating that HRP itself has no toxic or negative effect in mice. Ingested arsenic also distorted the shape of the blood cells and elevated the serum enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). Importantly, elevation of these enzymes and distortion of blood cell shape were partially reduced in mice belong to As+Hy group, indicating HRP-mediated reduction of arsenic toxicity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therefore, the preventive effect of hyacinth root on arsenic-poisoned mice suggested the future application of hyacinth to reduce arsenic toxicity in animal and human.
authors: Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors: Rim Sabrina Jahan
authors: RS
authors: Sarker
authors: Nazmul
authors: N
authors: Ahsan
authors: Khaled
authors: K
authors: Hossain
authors: Paritosh Kumar
authors: PK
authors: Ghosh
authors: Chowdhury Rafiqul
authors: CR
authors: Ahsan
authors: Anwarul Azim
authors: AA
authors: Akhand
keywords: Arsenic; Blood cell morphology; Growth retardation; Mice; Water hyacinth