Exposure to
arsenic in individuals has been found to be associated with immune related problems. In earlier studies, we have demonstrated that amla protects against
arsenic induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in thymus and spleen of mice. In continuation to that the present study has therefore been focused to investigate the protective efficacy of amla in
arsenic induced
inflammation and immunotoxicity in mice. The results showed that
arsenic treatment significantly increased serum
urea levels (69 %),
glucose levels (48 %) and
triglyceride levels (66 %) as compared to controls. Mice exposed to
arsenic exhibited significant increased in TNF-α (4.3-fold), serum
Interleukin-1 beta (threefold),
Interleukin-6 (3.8-fold) as compared to controls.
Arsenic exposure increased the relative frequency of CD8+ (Tc) cells sub-population (18.9 %) and decreased CD4+ (Th) cells (2.6 %).
Arsenic exposure also significantly decreased T (CD3) and B (CD19) cells (21.1 %) as compared to controls. Simultaneously treatment with
arsenic and amla significantly inhibited serum
urea levels (47 %),
glucose levels (50 %) and
triglyceride levels (14 %). It also significantly decreased the TNF-α (1.1-fold), levels of IL-1β (1.6-fold), levels of
Interleukin-6 (1.3-fold) in serum as compared to those treated with
arsenic alone. Simultaneously treatment with
arsenic and amla restored the alterations in CD8+ and CD4+ cells and also recovered the damages in B and T sub cells population. Results of the present study clearly indicate that
arsenic induced immunotoxicity linked with
inflammation has been significantly protected through simultaneous treatment with
arsenic and amla that was due to anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant activity of amla.