Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2018) 7(5): 2045-2051 2045 Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.705.240 Ameliorative Potential of Mentha piperita against Arsenic Trioxide Induced Geno-Toxicological Alteration in Fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch.) Shraddha Dwivedi * Environmental Toxicology & Bioremediation Laboratory (ETBL), Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226007, India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT Introduction Mentha piperita (MP) from Lamiaceae commonly known Peppermint as is well known for its flavouring and medicinal properties worldwide. In Ayurveda, this is a base ingredient of several compound formulations used in management of gastro- intestinal and skin problems. The extract of MP possesses antimicrobials, antioxidant actions, antitumor and anti-inflammatory (Golestani et al., 2015; Ramos et al., 2017). In the present study MP extract was screened for its anti-oxidative property against arsenic trioxide (ATO). As concentration of arsenic in environment is continuously an increase due to anthropogenic activities. Aquatic environment is the ultimate sink of pollutants which creates threat to aquatic biota particularly fishes. As fishes belong to higher trophic level, have greater chances to accumulate higher concentration of arsenic because of biomagnifications. On the other hand fishes are an important source of food, which multiplies risk of arsenic exposure and its toxicity to humans. Epidemiological studies showed that exposure of arsenic results in variety of adverse health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, anemia, neurologic disorder, along with liver and kidney diseases (Morales et al., 2000; Szymanska-Chabowska et al., 2002). The International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 05 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Present study aims to evaluate the amleorative potential of Mentha piperita (MP) against arsenic trioxide (ATO) in freshwater fish Channa punctatus (Bloch). Fish were divided into six groups. G1 served as control. Fish of G2 and G3 were treated with 96 h-LC 50 /10 of ATO and 8 mg/l of MP, respectively. In G4, G5 and G6, fish were given simultaneous treatment of 96 h-LC 50 /10 of ATO along with 2 mg/l, 4 mg/l, and 8 mg/l concentrations of MP. Samples collected at the interval of 24 h till 96 h exposure period. Result reveals an increased frequency of micronuclei (MN) in G2 on comparing with the G1. However in groups G4, G5 and G6, where fish were exposed to ATO along with 2 mg/l, 4 mg/l, 8 mg/l of MP respectively were showing reduction in frequency of micronuclei (MN). This reduction in frequency of MN on introduction of MP must be due to phyto-chemicals present in the MP extract. This has been proved by the presence of well-known antioxidants viz., alkaloids, flavonoids, saponin and tannins in photo-chemical tests. Keywords Mentha piperita, Channa punctatus, Arsenic dioxide, Amelioration, Micronuclei Accepted: 16 April 2018 Available Online: 10 May 2018 Article Info