Succimer modulates the effects of arsenic exposure on oxidative stress, behavioural and histological alterations in the brain of a rat

Abstract

Arsenic is an environmental pollutant with potent neurotoxicity debilitating the individuals with other ailments. The succimer is a chelating agent used in therapeutic effects of heavy metal toxicity. This study reports the modulatory effect of succimer on oxidative stress, behavioural and histological impairments in the rat treated with arsenic. Adults rats were divided into four groups: control, arsenic (100ppm/kg BW), arsenic (100ppm/kg BW)+Succimer (50mg/kg BW) and Succimer (50mg/kg BW). The treatments were delivered for 15 days. After the treatment period, behavioural studies were conducted, and the brain was used for biochemical and histological evaluation. Arsenic-treated rats showed a significantly decreased motor coordination (Rotarod test), increased paw withdrawal latency period (Hotplate test), lipid peroxidation content (LPO) as well as a significantly declined superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. The histological changes such as neural cells with irregular shape and axon, cyton, and dendrite degenerated in the cerebral cortex region of the brain. In Arsenic + Succimer group, succimer significantly reversed the adverse effects of arsenic on the oxidative stress, behavioural and histological alterations compared to the arsenic group. Succimer alone treatment has not shown any adverse effect. Thus succimer showed protective effects against arsenic generated oxidative stress, behavioural deficits and inhibiting neuronal alterations. Thus, succimer prove to be a useful therapeutic component against arsenic-induced neurotoxicity.