Adverse effects induced by diclofenac, ibuprofen, and paracetamol toxicity on immunological and biochemical parameters in Swiss albino mice

Soha Gomaa

doi:10.1186/s41936-018-0025-7

Abstract

BackgroundNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are generally used to reduce pain in different diseases acting as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic. Paracetamol is a nonprescription drug extremely used for antipyresis and analgesia. In spite of their beneficial effects, NSAIDs have been notified to be linked with some adverse effects. The present study was conducted to elucidate the comparative biochemical and immunological changes in mice treated with diclofenac (Diclo), ibuprofen (Ibu), or paracetamol (Para).MethodsSwiss albino mice were divided uniformly into seven different groups. Mice were intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered with Diclo (7.4 and 14.8 mg/kg), Ibu (60 and 120 mg/kg), and Para (36.7 and 73.4 mg/kg) daily for 1 month against saline-treated mice served as control. Blood samples were collected, and the assessments of some biochemical and immunological markers were measured.ResultsNo significant change was observed in total WBC count; however, relative values of leukocytes indicated relative neutropenia, lymphopenia, monocytosis, and basophilia in all treatments. Furthermore, all tested drugs caused elevation in the number of bone marrow (BM) cells; however, splenocyte count was significantly decreased post Para and Ibu administration, but Diclo treatment showed increase in splenocyte count. Additionally, the number of thymocytes and lymph node cells had no significant changes. Alternations of levels of serum ALT and AST were markedly changed in a dose-dependent manner, but no significant differences were monitored in the levels of serum urea and creatinine.ConclusionsIt could be concluded that administration of diclofenac, ibuprofen, or paracetamol may induce immunological and biochemical perturbations and further investigations are required to assess their toxicity in the biological system.

Highlights

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are generally used to reduce pain in different diseases acting as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic
NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac are extensively used as analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents producing their therapeutic effects through the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis (Klaassen, 2001)
The present findings indicated that 1-month continuous treatment with Diclo, Ibu, and Para has altered the immuno-biochemical parameters in the processed mice

Summary

Introduction

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are generally used to reduce pain in different diseases acting as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic. One of the ordinary used analgesics, diclofenac (Diclo) which is one of the most frequently prescribed nonselective NSAIDs worldwide, has strong analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects and generally used in human and veterinary practice (Ramesh, Jayakumar, Narayana, & Vijayasarathi, 2002) as premier treatment for inflammatory, degenerative rheumatic diseases and pain conditions (Morgan, 1999; Oaks et al, 2004). It has severe pathologic effects such as peptic ulceration, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatotoxicity, renal papillary necrosis, and renal failure on long-term treatment of the drug (Aydin et al, 2003). A considerable concern should be taken to study the toxicity of diclofenac due to its clinical use and adverse effects

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