Impact of higher doses of vitamin C in modulating pesticide genotoxicity.

The modulatory effect of higher doses of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on the genotoxicity of the three pesticides (endosulfan, phosphamidon, and mancozeb) was assessed in the in vivo micronucleus test in Swiss albino mice. Concurrent administration of the vitamin in a dose (20 mg/kg bwt/day) equivalent to double the human therapeutic one, along with each of the three pesticides, was most effective as an antimutagen. The therapeutic dose (10 mg/kg bwt/day) was comparatively less so, and the quadruple (40 mg/kg bwt/day) of it did not show any further amelioration.