The effect of medicago sativa on cyclophosphamide induced thrombocytopenia in rat

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a chemotherapy drug that can induce thrombocytopenia and immunosuppression. Medicago sativa (M. sativa) had been used in traditional medicine for treating coagulation disorders and anemia. Therefore in this study effect of M. sativa hydro-ethanolic extract on CP-induced thrombocytopenia and oxidative stress had been evaluated. Forty male Wistar rats randomly divided in 5 equal groups (n=8): (1) Control (saline); (2) CP (100 mg/kg SC from 1th-3th); (3) CP+ M. sativa 100 mg/kg/day; (4) CP+ M. sativa 200 mg/kg/day; (5) CP+ M. sativa 400 mg/kg/day. Treated animals received M. sativa hydro-ethanolic extract by gavage from 1th-14th days of study. In 1th, 7th, and 14th days of study blood samples were taken for measurement of total and differential WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct, corpuscular indices and platelets. Platelets count decreased significantly in the CP group compare to control group (p<0.001) while it was increased significantly in CP+M. sativa 400 group (p<0.05). The platelets count in M. sativa treated groups was more than CP group and the most increase observed in CP+M. sativa 400 group. WBC count decreased in CP group compare to control group (p<0.05) although it was increased significantly in M. sativa groups (p<0.001) and the most significant enhancement has been observed in CP+M. sativa 400 group. As for RBC, its number decreased in CP and CP+M. sativa 100 groups compare to control group (p<0.001) while in CP+M. sativa 400 and CP+M. sativa 200 groups, RBC count came back to normal level. Hct decreased in CP group compare to control group (p<0.01) but it increased significantly in CP+M. sativa 400 group (p<0.01). There were no significant differences for MCV, MCH and MCHC factors. Treatment by M. sativa could restore CP-induced thrombocytopenia and other hematological values such as WBC, RBC number and Hct. Therefore it can be used as protective agent against the suppressive effect of CP on bone marrow as chemotherapy drug

Keywords:

Blood Cancer , Cancer Prevention , Nutrition and Cancer , Drugs and Cancer , Chemotherapy