Hematological and Biochemical Alterations in Morinda citrifolia Treated BALB/c Mice Following Oral Administration of Dibenzo[a,l]pyrene

Abstract

Dibenzo[a,l] pyrene (DBP) is a member of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which is one of the most important air pollutant proven to be toxic and carcinogenic to human and animals. Morinda citrifolia (M. citrifolia) is one of the herbs that have in vitro and in vivo broad therapeutic effects. This study was conducted to investigate the hematological and biochemical altrations that developed in BALB/c mice following oral administration of Dibenzo[a,l]Pyrene (DBP ) and the role of M. citrifolia in changing and limiting these effects. One hundred adult female BALB/c mice used in this study were divided into five groups of twenty mice in each group namely; the control group (group A), the DBP treated group (group B), the M. citrifolia prevention group (group C), the M. citrifolia treated group (group D) and the M. citrifolia control group (group E). By the end of the experimental period (24 weeks) all animals were euthanized, blood was collected by heart puncture for hematological and biochemical studies. Biochemical analyses results showed significant (p>0.05) differences in alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin, creatinine, uric acid, urea and bilirubin levels in group B mice compared to other groups. Hematological results revealed anemia and leukocytosis (lymphocytosis) which were significantly (p>0.05) difference in group B mice compared with group A mice. Groups C, D and E mice showed that the analysed blood biochemistry profiles and hematological results were normal compared with group A mice. DBP induced unspecific T-cell Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in mice organs (data not shown).