CHLORPYRIFOS – INDUCED DISTURBANCES IN HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS: A MODEL STUDY FOCUSING PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF NIGELLA SATIVA SEED EXTRACT

Abstract

Objective: To assess the protective role of Nigella sativa in chlorpyrifos- induced changes in some of the hematological parameters of Wistar albino rats. Study Design: An experimental Study. Place and Duration of Study: Conducted at the department of Physiology Al-Tibri Medical College, Isra University Karachi Campus from January 2015 to December 2015. Methodology: Total Sixty fours rats were taken for this study. The animals were grouped and sub-grouped on the basis of 3 weeks and 6 weeks of treatment protocol. Control group A1 and A2 were given distilled water only. Group B1 and B2 were given chlorpyrifos 4.2mg/kg. bw; 1/20 LD 50 orally. Animals of Group C1, C2, and D1, D2 were the combination groups and were given 250mg/kg. bw low dose and 500mg/kg. bw high dose of Nigella sativa orally to these chlorpyrifos – induced rats respectively. After treatment blood samples 5cc were collected from each animal through cardiac puncture for hematological studies. Results: The results revealed that the hematological parameters like RBC count, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH and MCHC all were significantly reduced in chlorpyrifos- induced group of animals with p-value <0.001 but when compared the hematological data with low dose 250mg/kg. bw and high dose 500mg/kg. bw of Nigella sativa all the hematological parameters were significantly increased in Nigella sativa treated groups. More over when compared the data between chlorpyrifos induced group and low or high dose of Nigella sativa treated group all the parameters were significantly increased. However when the results were compared between low and high dose of Nigella sativa, all the parameters were increased non-significantly in high dose of Nigella sativa treated groups. Conclusion: It is therefore concluded that Nigella sativa has the beneficial role of possessing antioxidant property and thus provide beneficial influences in ameliorating the disturbances in hematological parameters caused by chlorpyrifos – induced toxicity.