IPS Journal of Basic and Clinical Medicine

Hematological and Biochemical Alterations in Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity and the Protective Role of Persea americana Seed Extract

Sebastine O. Nwoko, Celestine N. Ekweogu, Promise N. Nwamkpa, Gabriel O. Oze — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a common chemotherapy drug, which causes dose-dependent toxicity affecting multiple systems like heart, blood, liver, and kidneys. This study assessed the hematological and biochemical changes caused by DOX and explored the protective effects of Persea americana seed extract in an experimental animal model. Forty-two Wistar rats were divided into six groups: G1, control rats; G2, received 5mg/kg of DOX alone; G3, received 100mg/kg reference drug, vitamin C; G4, received 5mg/kg DOX + 500mg/kg extract; G5 received 5mg/kg DOX + 1000mg/kg extract; G6 received 5mg/kg DOX + 1500mg/kg extract. Dox (5 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally, and treatments lasted four weeks. Blood parameters (RBC, Hb, PCV, WBC, platelets), liver function markers (ALT, AST, ALP, total protein, albumin, bilirubin), and kidney function markers (urea, creatinine, electrolytes) were evaluated using standard methods. DOX treatment led to significant reductions (p < 0.05) in RBC, Hb, PCV, and platelets, along with an increase in WBC levels. It also raised liver enzymes and bilirubin while lowering total protein and albumin, indicating liver damage. Kidney impairment was shown by higher levels of urea and creatinine, as well as an electrolyte imbalance. Treatment with Persea americana seed extract significantly reduced these changes in a dose-dependent manner. The highest dose (1500 mg/kg) provided the most consistent improvement, similar to vitamin C. These results suggest that Persea americana seed extract may protect against DOX-related toxicity, likely through antioxidant effects. However, not all parameters completely normalized, showing partial recovery instead of full restoration. This study highlights the potential of Persea americana as a natural aid in reducing chemotherapy-induced toxicity and encourages more research into its therapeutic uses.

Modulatory Effects of Natural Honey on Lipid Homeostasis and Hepatic Biomarkers in Albino Rats: Evidence of Hepatoprotective Potential

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Background: Natural honey has been the focus of growing attention due to its potential therapeutic effects, especially concerning oxidative stress, liver functioning, and metabolism. The modulatory effects of natural honey on lipid homeostasis and hepatic biomarkers in the albino rats were evaluated in this study.

Methods: A random assignment of twenty male Wistar albino rats was divided into four groups (n = 5): control (distilled water), low dose honey (1 mL/kg), medium dose honey (2 mL/kg) and high dose honey (4 mL/kg). Honey was given orally every day (21 days). Blood samples were taken at the end of the treatment period to analyze the lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C) and hepatic biomarkers (AST, ALT, ALP, total, conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin). The one-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc test (p < 0.05) was used to analyze the data.

Results: Honey administration was seen to significantly decrease the level of AST, ALT, ALP in the treated groups when compared to the control group (p<0.05). There was also a significant decrease in total bilirubin and unconjugated bilirubin levels but no significant change in conjugated bilirubin. However, no significant difference was seen among the lipid profile parameters (p > 0.05) except for slight differences in triglycerides and VLDL-C and a strong positive correlation was seen between the hepatic markers (AST, ALT, ALP). There was also a significant positive correlation of triglycerides to VLDL-C, and relatively poor correlations of the lipid profile parameters to the hepatic biomarkers..

Conclusion: Under normal physiological conditions, natural honey did not exhibit strong lipid-modulatory activity but displayed strong hepatoprotective activity. These results indicate that the cardiometabolic effects of honey could be mainly mediated by the hepatic stabilization and antioxidant effects of honey instead of direct lipid lowering.