Authors : C.N. Okwuosa, P.U.O. Achukwu , N.C. Azubike and A.I.E. Abah
Abstract: Chemotherapy-induced haematopoietic toxicity is a multifactorial challenge that influences the treatment of oncology patients and consequently requires intervention. The protective effect of the crude Methanol leaf Extracts of Combretum Racemosum (MECR) was investigated in cyclophospahamide induced pancytopaenia and liver injury in male rats. Acute toxicity studies and preliminary phytochemical screening was performed using standard methods. A total of 25 male albino rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 5). Group E served as normal control group and received normal saline (5 mL kg-1). Group D received cyclophosphamide (3 mg kg-1) intra-peritoneally and served as the cyclophosphamide (positive) control. Group A received 100 mg kg-1 of the MECR (p.o). Group B and C received 200 and 400 mg kg-1 of MECR, respectively (p.o). Cyclophosphamide was also administered daily to rats in groups A-C, respectively at a dose of 3 mg kg-1 intraperitoneally for a period of 14 days. On the 15th day, blood was collected from all the groups by retroorbital puncture for evaluation of blood parameters (complete blood count) and liver marker enzymes. Acute toxicity studies revealed an oral LD50 value >5,500 mg kg-1 in rats. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, resins, carbohydrates and steroids. Administration of cyclophosphamide to rats resulted in myelo-suppression and liver injury. Cyclophosphamide also produced liver injury in the cyclophosphamide control group as evident from the increase in the serum level of hepatospecific markers of liver injury. Concomittant administration of MECR and cyclophosphamide resulted in the mitigation of cyclophosphamide induced bone marrow and liver toxicity. The leaf extract of Combretum racemosum possess liver and bone marrow protective properties in cyclophosphamide induced cytotoxicity and justifies the use of this plant in folk medicine in South East Nigeria as a tonic.
C.N. Okwuosa, P.U.O. Achukwu , N.C. Azubike and A.I.E. Abah , 2012. Protective Effect of the Leaf Extracts of Combretum racemosum P. Beauv (Combretaceae) on Cyclophospahamide Induced Pancytopaenia and Liver Injury in Male Rats. Research Journal of Pharmacology, 6: 30-34.