Estimation of Combined Effect of ‘N –Acetylcysteine’ and ‘Vitamin C’ on Cyclophosphamide Induced Immunosuppressed Mice Model

Abstract

The present study was designed to evaluate the protective and restorative potential of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and Vitamin C, both individually and in combination, against cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced immunosuppression in Swiss albino mice. Cyclophosphamide, a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent, is associated with immunotoxic side effects such as leukopenia, oxidative stress, and suppression of humoral and cellular immune functions. The study was conducted using five experimental groups: normal control, cyclophosphamide control, NAC-treated, Vitamin C–treated, and a combination group. Immunosuppression was successfully induced with cyclophosphamide at 150 mg/kg i.p., which resulted in ~58% reduction in WBC count, significant weight loss, increased lipid peroxidation, depletion of antioxidant enzymes (GSH, SOD, catalase), and histopathological damage to spleen, thymus, and bone marrow. Treatment with NAC and Vitamin C individually led to partial improvement in hematological and biochemical parameters, including significant increases in WBC counts, hemoglobin levels, antioxidant enzyme activity, and immune responses such as antibody titer and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). Importantly, the combination therapy restored hematological, biochemical, immunological, and histological parameters close to normal levels, demonstrating a synergistic protective effect.