Mitigating Mercury Chloride-Induced Spleen Toxicity in Wistar Rats: The Efficacy of Newbouldia laevis Ethanol Extract

Background: Mercury chloride toxicity poses significant health risks, particularly affecting organs such as the spleen. Newbouldia laevis is reputed for its medicinal properties, yet its potential to counteract mercury chloride-induced splenic toxicity remains largely unexplored. This study investi...

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Main Authors: Calmday-Ombo D, Innih SO
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nigerian Medical Association, Akwa Ibom State Branch 2025-01-01
Series:Ibom Medical Journal
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Online Access:http://ibommedicaljournal.org/index.php/imjhome/article/view/605
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author Calmday-Ombo D
Innih SO
author_facet Calmday-Ombo D
Innih SO
author_sort Calmday-Ombo D
collection DOAJ
description Background: Mercury chloride toxicity poses significant health risks, particularly affecting organs such as the spleen. Newbouldia laevis is reputed for its medicinal properties, yet its potential to counteract mercury chloride-induced splenic toxicity remains largely unexplored. This study investigated the effects of ethanol extract of N. laevis on mercury chloride-induced spleen toxicity in Wistar rats. Method: Eighteen adult Wistar rats, weighing between 160g and 200g, were randomly divided into six groups of three rats each. Group A served as the control, while Group B and C received 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg of N. laevis ethanolic extract, respectively. Group D and E were treated with 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg of the extract combined with 4mg/kg of mercury chloride, respectively, and Group F received 4mg/kg of mercury chloride only. After 28 days of treatment, the rats were sacrificed under chloroform anesthesia. Blood samples were collected for hematological analysis, and the spleens were harvested for histological assessment. Results: The results indicated a significant decrease in white blood cell count in the group treated with 500mg/kg of the extract alone, while other hematological parameters remained unchanged. There were no significant changes in body and organ weights, except for a decrease in body weight in the 500mg/kg extract-only and 250mg/kg + mercury chloride groups. Histologically, mercury chloride induced splenic necrosis and follicular hypertrophy, whereas the extract showed no effect on the follicle but caused red cell sequestration. Conclusion: Combined treatments displayed varying effects, with a low extract dose and mercury chloride showing a normal follicle but increased red cell sequestration. These findings suggest that Newbouldia laevis offer protective properties against mercury chloride-induced spleen damage.
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spelling doaj-art-42b66c3b4a8d4323bbad5f4dcac6b1752025-01-12T11:36:04ZengNigerian Medical Association, Akwa Ibom State BranchIbom Medical Journal1597-71882735-99642025-01-0118110.61386/imj.v18i1.605Mitigating Mercury Chloride-Induced Spleen Toxicity in Wistar Rats: The Efficacy of Newbouldia laevis Ethanol ExtractCalmday-Ombo D0Innih SO1Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, NigeriaDepartment of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria Background: Mercury chloride toxicity poses significant health risks, particularly affecting organs such as the spleen. Newbouldia laevis is reputed for its medicinal properties, yet its potential to counteract mercury chloride-induced splenic toxicity remains largely unexplored. This study investigated the effects of ethanol extract of N. laevis on mercury chloride-induced spleen toxicity in Wistar rats. Method: Eighteen adult Wistar rats, weighing between 160g and 200g, were randomly divided into six groups of three rats each. Group A served as the control, while Group B and C received 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg of N. laevis ethanolic extract, respectively. Group D and E were treated with 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg of the extract combined with 4mg/kg of mercury chloride, respectively, and Group F received 4mg/kg of mercury chloride only. After 28 days of treatment, the rats were sacrificed under chloroform anesthesia. Blood samples were collected for hematological analysis, and the spleens were harvested for histological assessment. Results: The results indicated a significant decrease in white blood cell count in the group treated with 500mg/kg of the extract alone, while other hematological parameters remained unchanged. There were no significant changes in body and organ weights, except for a decrease in body weight in the 500mg/kg extract-only and 250mg/kg + mercury chloride groups. Histologically, mercury chloride induced splenic necrosis and follicular hypertrophy, whereas the extract showed no effect on the follicle but caused red cell sequestration. Conclusion: Combined treatments displayed varying effects, with a low extract dose and mercury chloride showing a normal follicle but increased red cell sequestration. These findings suggest that Newbouldia laevis offer protective properties against mercury chloride-induced spleen damage. http://ibommedicaljournal.org/index.php/imjhome/article/view/605Newbouldia laevismercury chloride toxicityspleen protectionWistar ratsethanol extract
spellingShingle Calmday-Ombo D
Innih SO
Mitigating Mercury Chloride-Induced Spleen Toxicity in Wistar Rats: The Efficacy of Newbouldia laevis Ethanol Extract
Ibom Medical Journal
Newbouldia laevis
mercury chloride toxicity
spleen protection
Wistar rats
ethanol extract
title Mitigating Mercury Chloride-Induced Spleen Toxicity in Wistar Rats: The Efficacy of Newbouldia laevis Ethanol Extract
title_full Mitigating Mercury Chloride-Induced Spleen Toxicity in Wistar Rats: The Efficacy of Newbouldia laevis Ethanol Extract
title_fullStr Mitigating Mercury Chloride-Induced Spleen Toxicity in Wistar Rats: The Efficacy of Newbouldia laevis Ethanol Extract
title_full_unstemmed Mitigating Mercury Chloride-Induced Spleen Toxicity in Wistar Rats: The Efficacy of Newbouldia laevis Ethanol Extract
title_short Mitigating Mercury Chloride-Induced Spleen Toxicity in Wistar Rats: The Efficacy of Newbouldia laevis Ethanol Extract
title_sort mitigating mercury chloride induced spleen toxicity in wistar rats the efficacy of newbouldia laevis ethanol extract
topic Newbouldia laevis
mercury chloride toxicity
spleen protection
Wistar rats
ethanol extract
url http://ibommedicaljournal.org/index.php/imjhome/article/view/605
work_keys_str_mv AT calmdayombod mitigatingmercurychlorideinducedspleentoxicityinwistarratstheefficacyofnewbouldialaevisethanolextract
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