Sub-acute oral toxicity of Roundup® and ammonium nitrate with special reference to oxidative stress indices in wistar rats

The aim of present study was to unravel the single and interactive toxic potential of Roundup (R) and ammonium nitrate in rats after their oral administration for a period of 28 days. The animals were randomly divided into four groups with six rats in each group. Group I served as control and were orally administered with water. Group II animals were orally exposed to Roundup @ 500mg/Kg/day. Animals in group III were orally treated with ammonium nitrate @ 220mg/Kg/day while as group IV received both Roundup and ammonium nitrate @ 500mg/Kg/day and 220mg/Kg/day respectively. After 28th day of treatment, blood samples were taken and analysed for various oxidative stress parameters. Significant increase in LPO was observed in group II, III and IV as compared to control. GSH decreased significantly in all treated groups in comparison to control animals. The activity of anti-oxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, GSH-Px decreased significantly in group II, III and IV as compared to group I. GST increased non significantly in group II but decreased significantly in group III and IV. Concomitant exposure to both of these chemicals in group IV showed more significant alterations in oxidative stress indices even in comparison to group II and III.