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Abstract Mercury (Hg) is a naturally occurring metal due to erosion from earth crusts and volcanoes, but anthropogenic sources have increased the exposure in recent time. Mercury is a hazardous pollutant which induces severe alterations in the body of both humans and animals. The toxicity of mercury depends on the forms of the mercury compound (elemental, inorganic and organic (Govind and Madhuri, 2014). The most common forms of Hg in the environment are elemental Hg (Hg0), inorganic Hg (Hg+ and Hg2+) and organic compounds such as methyl mercury (MeHg), while ethyl mercury (EtHg) is more uncommon (Ariya et al., 2015). Mercury is black list element by environmentalists and is released into the environment form several sources, mining, sewage disposal research laboratories, agriculture, fungicides and industrial operation where mercury is found in electrical equipment, paints and disinfects (El- Boshy and Taha, 2011). Mercury has no biological function, potentially toxic and causes serious impairment in the metabolic and physiological function of both the body. It causes a variety of adverse health effects including: neurological, renal, respiratory, immune dermatological, reproductive and developmental sequelae (Lu et al., 2012). In general, mercury is a sulphur-seeking metal that binds to SH groups present in methionine, glutathione, cysteine in the body. It caused alteration in the function and structure of proteins, membranes and enzymes. Inorganic mercury accumulates primarily in the kidneys, liver, spleen, bone marrow, intestine, skin and respiratory mucosa also, mercury causes increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which provoke lipid, protein and DNA oxidation (Sharma et al., 2014). It has been suggested that antioxidants similarly, natural antioxidants have been used in an attempt to reverse the damage caused by oxidative stress (OS) through retaking the cellular redox balance. Simultaneous administration of vitamin C and vitamin E, which are antioxidants, particularly interesting since they produce a more regeneration of the enzymatic system, reducing the oxidation manifestation (Rahal et al., 2014). Vitamin C is an important natural antioxidant, present in 85% of fruits and vegetables several studies revealing that VC represents an important water-soluble antioxidant. Known to be the most potent aqueous phase antioxidant in human plasma. VC can act as a radical scavenger by eliminating free radicals and providing protection to the cell in the aqueous medium (Nimse and Pal, 2015). VC also inhibits lipid peroxidation, oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, protein oxidation and enhances absorption of iron. |