Monocrotophos (MCP) is a organophosphate insecticide used for several years in agriculture. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible protection of Vitamin C as antidot against the toxic effect of 1/5 LD50 dose of monocrotophos in albino mice. Forty eight male albino mices divided into 4 groups of 6 animals in each group were used for this study. Group-I (control): received no treatment, Group-II: ascorbic acid(20 mg/Kg bw), Group-III: Ascorbic acid+MCP, Group-IV: treated with MCP (0.2mg/Kg bw). The regimen was administered orally for two periods (1 and 2 week). At the end of 1st and 2nd weeks of exposure hepatic tissues were collected to examine the toxicity of MCP on protein[5] ,ascorbic acid content[6] and Na+-K+-ATPase and Mg++-ATPase.[7] In MCP treated mice (Group-IV) enzyme activity significantly increased in N+-K+-ATPase and Mg++-ATPase after 1 week of exposure but after 2 week of MCP exposure enzyme activities significantly decreased in N+-K+-ATPase and Mg++-ATPase. In Group-III and Group-IV animals, after 1 &2 week of exposure of MCP ascorbic acid contents and protein contents were reduced. While certain amelioration for these elevations were detected in the animals treated with vitamin C + Monocrotophos. In Group-II animals insignificant increase of all the biochemical parameters are seen. Biochemical results of this study revealed that the Ascorbic acid reduces the toxicity of MCP and ATPase act as biomarker to MCP contamination.

Keywords: Ascorbic acid; Liver; Mg++-ATPase; Monocrotophos; Protein; N+-K+-ATPase.