Comparative effect of melatonin and vitamin E on phenylhydrazine-induced toxicity in the spleen of Funambulus pennanti.

Phenylhydrazine (PHZ) oxidation resulting in free iron release followed by free radical generation has increased frequency of cancer. This study aims towards the dose-dependent response of PHZ and the role of melatonin in comparison with vitamin E following PHZ-induced toxicity within the lymphoid tissue (spleen) of Indian tropical seasonal breeder, Funambulus pennanti, during reproductively active phase. An increase in the damages in terms of lipid peroxidation (LPO), apoptosis percentage, and splenomegaly was observed following different doses of PHZ treatment, i.e., 0.025, 0.5, and 1 mg/100 g body weight (b.wt.), where dose of 1 mg/100 g b.wt. showed more significant damages. Both melatonin (0.5 mg/100 g b.wt.) and vitamin E (1 mg/100 g b.wt.) administration ameliorated oxidative damages of 1 mg/100 g b.wt. PHZ-treated group. Melatonin altered PHZ-induced responses significantly to a greater degree than vitamin E as evidenced by LPO status, SOD activity, and ABTS radical cation scavenging activity of antioxidants. Thus, melatonin might be able to restrict carcinogenic property of PHZ-induced oxidative stress by protecting macromolecules of the cell from harmful effects of PHZ and instead preserving cell viability.