Assessment of Ascorbic Acid Mediated Protection Against Dichlorvos Induced Spleen Toxicity

This study investigated the protective effects of ascorbic acid on the spleen of adult male Wistar rats exposed to dichlorvos (DDVP), a widely used organophosphate insecticide commonly marketed as Sniper. Dichlorvos is known to induce toxicity through oxidative stress and disruption of normal cellular functions, potentially affecting vital organs including the spleen. A total of thirty-six adult male Wistar rats weighing 180–250 g were used for the experiment and randomly divided into six groups: control, dichlorvos only, low dose ascorbic acid + dichlorvos, low dose ascorbic acid only, high dose ascorbic acid + dichlorvos, and high dose ascorbic acid only. The experiment lasted eight weeks, including two weeks of acclimatization and six weeks of oral administration of dichlorvos and/or ascorbic acid. Parameters assessed included body weight, spleen weight, hematological indices, oxidative stress biomarkers, and histological examination of spleen tissue. Results showed that dichlorvos exposure produced mildalterations in some hematological parameters and increased oxidative stress markers, while administration of ascorbic acid demonstrated a moderating effect. However, statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in spleen weight and most hematological parameters across the experimental groups (p > 0.05). Histological observations suggested that ascorbic acid may help preserve splenic architecture and reduce potential oxidative damage induced by dichlorvos. In conclusion, the findings suggest that ascorbic acid possesses protective antioxidant properties that may mitigate the toxic effects of dichlorvos on the spleen. These results highlight the potential role of antioxidant supplementation in reducing pesticide-induced organ toxicity and contribute to the understanding of preventive strategies against organophosphate exposure.