Immuno-Protective Effect of Aqueous Extract of Ocimum gratissimum Leaf in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Myelotoxicity in Wistar Rat
Ifeanyi Anthony Egwuatu
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu State, Nigeria.
Emeka Godson Anyanwu
Department of Anatomy, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), Enugu State, Nigeria.
Chiadikobi Lawrence Ozoemena
*
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu State, Nigeria.
Christian Chiemeka Ozor
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu State, Nigeria.
Osinachi Francis Ozoemena
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Emmanuel N. Obikili
Department of Anatomy, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), Enugu State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The bone marrow is the manufacturing center of blood cells; the suppression of its activity causes a deficiency of blood cells. This condition can rapidly lead to life-threatening infections. Ocimum gratissimum plays a vital role in preventing some disease conditions, but its hematological effects on the bone marrow have not been documented much. This study is designed to investigate the immuno-protective activity of the aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum in cyclophosphamide-induced myelotoxicity. Twenty-four Wistar rats aged two to three months, weighing 170-200 g were used for the study. The rats were divided into six groups of four rats each, labeled A to F. The rats in the control group (group A) were given feed and water. Group B was administered with 3 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide intraperitoneally daily for seven days to induce myelotoxicity. Groups C and D were treated daily with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of the extract for fourteen (14) days respectively. Groups E and F were treated with the extract for seven (7) days and then induced and treated with myelotoxicity and extract simultaneously for the next seven (7) days. On the 15th day, blood samples (3.0 ml) were collected from each rat through the retro-orbital plexus. Also, the bone marrow was harvested and analyzed using a standard histological procedure. Data were analyzed with Pearson’s correlation test and multivariate analysis of variance using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 and results were expressed as mean ± SD. Myelotoxicity was achieved in Group B rats. Group E and F rats showed a significant increase in hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and total white blood cell count (TWBC) compared with Group B. The Group C and D rats revealed a significant increase in Hb, Hct, and TWBC when compared with group A. Aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum may possess immuno-protective properties when orally administered in cyclophosphamide-induced bone marrow suppression.
Keywords: Ocimum gratissimum, cyclophosphamide, hematological parameters, leaf extract, myelosuppression