Bio-elimination and organ retention profile of benzanthrone in scorbutic and non-scorbutic guinea pigs

Abstract The retention and bio-elimination of benzanthrone (BA) in scorbutic and non-scorbutic guinea pigs was investigated to understand the protective role of ascorbic acid. Oral intubation of 14C-BA to scorbutic and non-scorbutic guinea pigs showed a total recovery of around 91% radioactivity through urine, faeces and tissues. Recovery of radiolabelled BA through urine (28%) and faeces (22%) up to 96 hrs averaged 50%, whereas residual radioactivity in liver and testis experienced a recovery of 29% in scorbutic animals. In non-scorbutic animals there was an increased recovery of radioactivity through urine (37%) and faeces (31%) with a decrease in retention (10%) in liver and testis. These results suggest that ascorbic acid facilitates the mobilization and bio-elimination of BA and thereby can decrease the toxicity of the compound.