Effect of Cnidoscolus chayamansa on the spleen and some hematological parameters of albino rats

Background: Oxidative stress causes alterations in blood cells and may affect the functions of blood cells and the coagulation system, resulting in acute and chronic infections, anaemia, and hypercoagulability. Materials and methods: Eighteen experimental rats were divided into four equal groups: a control group and three treatment groups that were exposed to X-ray irradiation at low dose, and high dose of 75kv/1MAS and 115kv/3MAS, respectively to induce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress was confirmed by evaluating malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione. Cnidoscolus chayamansa extract was administered to the treatment groups at a dose of 1g/kg body weight for 10 days. The rats were sacrificed, the spleen was used for histology and blood for some haematological parameters. Histological analysis using heamatoxylin and Eosin method was carried out on the spleen and haematological analysis on the blood sample. Results: The spleen exhibited dispersed presence of white pulp and widely distributed red pulp. This reflected in the blood which showed general leukocytosis, lymphocytopenia, monocytosis, thrombocytopenia and anaemia were all observed as a result of oxidative stress. Ttreatment with Cnidoscolus chayamansa leaf extract showed an antioxidant effect, evidenced by the relative restoration of stress biomarkers to normal. The histology of the spleen also showed remarkable restoration to normal while the haematological parameters also recorded some improvement in both low and high dose irradiation. Conclusion: These findings suggest that oxidative stress can lead to damage of haematopoietic tissues, and Cnidoscolus chayamansa leaf extract is an antioxidant, and this extract can significantly mitigate spleenic and haematological damage, offering an alternative to synthetic antioxidants.