Role of Garlic Extract in Alleviating Toxic Effects of Copper Sulfate in Claria gariepinus

Background and Objective: Copper is a trace element vital to life, but the toxic effect of water pollution with it on fish is now exhibited which is known to affect vital organ especially liver, kidney and gills. This investigation was intended to test the possible protective role of garlic extract against the toxicity of copper sulfate to Clarias gariepinus. Materials and Methods: In this study, 120 apparently healthy African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) of average weight (1505 g) were selected as test organism. Fish were divided into four equal groups each of 30 fish. Results: The levels of some liver and kidney function parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, urea and creatinine) were significantly increased with significant lowering in total protein, albumin, total globulins and its fractions (%) ("1, "2, $, -globulin) as well as severe histopathological changes in copper sulfate treated group compared with control group. Interestingly the supplementation of sulphur containing antioxidants (garlic extract) has appeared to minimize the effects of copper at all-time intervals by significant increase in the serum level of total protein, albumin, globulins and modulating the deranged liver and kidney function parameters minimizing histopathological alterations. Conclusion: The main finding of this study was that CuSO 4 may cause some alternations in the biochemical parameters and histopathological findings of the studied fish even in therapeutic dose. It seems that simultaneous exposure of fish to garlic extract was found to counteract the toxic effects of copper sulfate indicating their potential therapeutic activity against copper toxicity in fish.