ROLE OF EMBLICA OFFICINALIS IN MITIGATING THE SULPHUR DIOXIDE INDUCED TOXICITY IN RATTUS NORVEGICUS (BERKENHOUT)

SO₂ is considered as one of the most poisonous and irritant gas because it alters the physiology, biochemistry and behaviour of the living individuals. In the present investigation the effect of oral administration of Emblica officinalis on serum electrolyte in SO₂ exposed albino rats. The thirty albino rats were grouped in three sets – control set (1) were kept in control conditions, while, rats of experimental set (2) were exposed to 80 ppm of SO₂ gas 1h/d for 30 and 60 days and rats of experimental set (3) were exposed to 80 ppm of SO₂ gas 1h/d with oral administration of Emblica officinalis fruits extracts (200 mg/kg b.wt.) for 30 and 60 days, respectively. The results exhibits that rats of 30 days showed non-significant (P > 0.05) decrease in plasma potassium ion concentration compared with the control while the rats of 60 days showed significant (P < 0.05) decrease in plasma potassium ion concentration compared with the control. The SO₂ exposed subjects show significant (P < 0.05) decrease in chloride, bicarbonate and sodium ions concentrations compared with the control after 30 and 60 days exposed rats. Oral administration of Emblica officinalis recovers all these electrolyte concentration at their standard physiological level, hence, play an important role in mitigating the SO₂ induced toxicity in mammalian system.