In the present investigation neurotoxic effects of lindane and the protective potential of a combination of antioxidants against lindane-induced toxicity were evaluated in Swiss mice. The investigation was carried out on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities of the cerebellum and pons-medulla oblongata. Healthy mice, 7-8 weeks old were administered acute dose of lindane (40 mg/kg b.w.), antioxidants, both lindane and antioxidants, and vehicle in four separate groups, subcutaneously. Resveratrol (Res), ascorbic acid (C), alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and vitamin E (E) were used in the combination for neuroprotection at the concentration of 5 mg/kg b.w., 50 mg/kg b.w., 20 mg/kg b.w. and 50 mg/kg b.w. respectively. Enzymatic activities were used as biochemical marker for manifestation of lindane-induced acute toxicity. Protective effects of antioxidants were also evaluated using the same parameters. Treatment of lindane to normal control animals resulted in a significant decrease in AChE, BChE and ATPase levels in crude homogenates of cerebellum and pons-medulla. Antioxidants treatment significantly increased the levels of enzymes. Critical difference (CD) of AChE, BChE and ATPase levels in various groups was found significant at 1% in cerebellum and pons-medulla both (i.e. P<0.01).

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of L-ascorbic acid on postnatal exposure of endosulfan induced testis damage in the rat. Four groups of seven day old male Wistar rats were treated with 3, 6, 9 and 12 mg/kg endosulfan orally (10 pups/group), from postnatal day 7 to 60 at intervals of 24 h. For 2 more groups (n = 10/group), endosulfan (9 mg/kg and 12 mg/kg) was administered along with L-ascorbic acid (20 mg/kg). The sperm morphology, sperm count and sperm motility was analyzed in all the groups on postnatal day 70. Endosulfan significantly affected the testicular function enhancing the incidence of abnormal spermatozoa, decreasing the sperm count and sperm motility in a dose dependent manner. Abnormalities were of both head and tail and increase in their frequency was more than two-fold of the control value. Sperm count abruptly decreased in 12 mg/kg group and sperm motility decreased up to 50% of the control value. L-ascorbic acid has nullified the toxic effects of the pesticide significantly, but not to the control level. Endosulfan induces the testicular damage following postnatal exposure and L-ascorbic acid prevents the adverse effects considerably in the rat.