Ranferon-12 tonic mitigates haematological abnormalities in cyclophosphamide-treated rats

Abstract

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) has anticancer property with many side-effects including haematotoxicity while ranferon-12 tonic (RFT) possesses haematinic effect. This study investigated the mitigating effects of RFT on haematotoxicity in CPA-treated rats. Twenty-four animals were grouped into four (n=6) and treated orally as indicated: Group A: (Control) received 0.4 mL of physiological saline (PS) for 7 consecutive days; Group B: (CPA) received 0.4 mL of PS for 7 days followed by a single intraperitoneal dose of CPA (200 mg/kg) on the 7th day; Group C: (RFT) received RFT at 0.029 mL/kg for 7 days; Group D: (RFT+CPA) received RFT at 0.029 mL/kg for 7 days followed by a single intraperitoneal dose of CPA on the 7th day. Twenty-four hours after the final treatment, the animals were weighed, anaesthetised and sacrificed. Blood was obtained via cardiac puncture and transferred to EDTA and plain tubes for further analysis. Result showed that a single dose of CPA (200 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the level of white blood cells, haemoglobin, red blood cells, packed cell volume, and platelet (values >36%). Additionally, the body temperature was significantly (p<0.05) elevated by 5.1 %. Furthermore, decreased levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase with a concomitant rise in MDA content were observed. All these alterations were mitigated; to some extent, in animals pre-treated with RFT prior to CPA-administration. The study suggests that RFT could mitigate haematotoxicity in CPA-administered rats by suppressing oxidative stress via modulation of haematopoietic factors, which in turn promotes haematopoiesis.