Protective Effects of Piroxicam Against Anthracene-Induced Haematological and Biochemical Alteration in Female Rats

The study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of piroxicam and carboplatin against anthracene-induced haematological and biochemical alterations in female rats using randomized controlled trial. Thirty-six female rats of seven weeks old that weighed 166.25 ± 26.79 g divided into six groups of six each per group were used for the study. Each of the rats of group 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 was administered 100 mg/kg of oral anthracene, for three weeks, except group 2, which was administered 2.5 mg/kg of water. Thereafter, each rat in groups 1 and 2 was administered water, group 3 (piroxicam low dose), group 4 (carboplatin/piroxicam), group 5 (piroxicam high dose) and group 6 (carboplatin) for a period of three weeks. Blood sample (2 ml) was collected from each rat for haematology and serum biochemistry. The rats were euthanised using 100 mg/kg of sodium pentobarbitone. Body weight, packed cell volume, erythrocyte, leucocyte and neutrophil counts were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), causing emaciation, anaemia, and immunodepression. Lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils, and eosinophils were significantly increased (p < 0.05) causing immunostimulation. Urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), indicating malnutrition, reduced kidney and liver functions.