Evaluation of ethanol extract of Allium cepa and fractions on haematological parameters in doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity using Wistar rats

This research study evaluated the effects of Ethanol extract of Allium cepa (A. cepa) popularly known as Onions and its fractions on haematological parameters in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity using Wistar rats. A total of 45 Wistar rats weighing between 150-200 g were recruited for this study. They were randomly divided into 9 groups of 5 animals each; as follows: Group 1: served as control and received 10 ml /kg/ body weight (b.w) per oral (p.o) of normal saline. Group II: received 3.5 mg / kg b.w intraperitoneal (i.p) of Doxorubicin (Dox). Group III: received 500 mg/kg/ b.w p.o of vitamin E plus Dox. Group IV: received 1000 mg/kg/ b.w of crude extract (C.E) of A. cepa plus Dox. Group V: received 1000 mg/kg b.w of n-Hexane fraction of A. cepa plus Dox. Group VI: received 1000 mg/kg b.w of dichloromethane (DCM) fraction of A. cepa plus Dox. Group VII received 1000 mg/kg b.w of ethyl acetate (E.A) fraction of A. cepa plus Dox. Group VIII: received 1000 mg/kg b.w of methanol (METH) fraction, and Group IX received Combinations of C.E of A. cepa + vitamin E and Dox respectively for 14days. Groups I and II treatments lasted for 14 days, while treatments for groups III-IX lasted for 16 days (making 14 days for respective treatments and additional 2 days for doxorubicin administered once 48 hourly before sacrificing. All substances in this study were administered orally except doxorubicin that was administered intraperitoneally. Haematology results obtained from this study showed Dox administration negatively altered full blood count; Red blood cell (RBC), White blood cell (WBC) and Platelets levels significantly (p<0.05). However, pre-treatment administration with Allium cepa showed significant (p<0.05) improvement of full blood count levels from the effects of singular administration of Dox. Injury to the myocardium was also observed on histological examination in the Dox treated group. Our findings indicate that haematological parameters RBC, WBC, Platelets could be useful diagnostic tools in prediction and evaluation of Cardiotoxicity. Haematology results obtained from this study showed Doxorubicin administration significantly altered (p<0.05) full blood count; Red blood cell (RBC), White blood cell (WBC) and Platelets levels. However, pre-treatment administration with Allium cepa showed significant (p<0.05) improvement of full blood count levels from the effects of singular administration of Doxorubicin. Injury to the myocardium was also observed on histological examination in the Doxorubicin treated group. Our findings indicate that haematological parameters RBC, WBC, Platelets could be useful diagnostic tools in prediction and evaluation of Cardiotoxicity.