Cyclophosphamide (CTX) treatment in splenectomized (SPLNZ) mice led to a decrease in leukocytes (W.B.Cs) count and did not restore to the normal value until day 21 post-injection. This study addressed the potential role of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) as a protective agent against CTX-induced toxicity in SPLNZ mice. Some hematological, biochemical parameters and histological examination of liver and kidney tissues were assessed. Thirty (30) Swiss male mice were divided into five groups (6 mice/group). Control mice (G1) were sham-operated treated with normal saline. The other four SPLNZ groups were treated with normal saline (G2), a single dose of 200 mg/kg CTX (G3), NSO (1 mL/kg) on alternate days for 14 days (G4) and the same NSO protocol after 200 mg/kg CTX (G5). Normal saline and CTX were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.), NSO was administered orally. G2 (SPLNZ) mice, compared to G1, showed significantly increased W.B.C. counts, platelet counts and cholesterol levels, while aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels decreased. Group (G3) (SPLNZ/CTX) mice had significantly decrease W.B.C counts and increase AST, ALT, cholesterol and triglycerides. G5 (SPLNZ/CTX/NSO) mice partially restored W.B.Cs count, increased platelet counts and enhanced AST and ALT enzymes. Histopathology of livers and kidneys from G3 (SPLNZ/CTX) showed necrosis, cytoplasmic degeneration of hepatocytes, cellular infiltration with pyknotic nuclei. SPLNZ/CTX/NSO (G5) improved the histological architecture of the livers and kidneys. No changes showed in G4 mice (SPLNZ/ NSO). In summary, NSO treatment ameliorated the hepato-renal toxicities after CTX injection in SPLNZ mice.
Key words: Hematological; biochemical, histological alterations; Nigella sativa oil; cyclophosphamide; splenectomized.
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