Exposure to tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) extract and cigarette smoke induces hematological and histopathological alterations in Swiss albino mice

Abstract

Tobacco smoking is a widely practiced recreational activity and is associated with numerous health risks. Hence, the present study was conducted on Swiss albino mice to assess the impact of aqueous extract of tobacco and cigarette smoke on behavioral, hematological, and histopathological parameters of the lungs, liver, and kidney. The mice were divided into Control (Cont), Tobacco nicotiana (TN), and Cigarette smoke (CS) groups (n=6). TN group received aqueous tobacco orally at a dose of 5ml/kg BW for 21 days, whereas CS group was exposed to inhalational commercial cigarette smoke for the same duration. On day 22, blood samples and visceral organs were collected to evaluate hematological (TEC, TLC, Hb%) and histopathological parameters from euthanized mice. The TEC values were significantly elevated (P<0.05) in both groups. In contrast to the control group, the TLC value was lower in the CS group (P>0.05) than in the TN group, but the mean Hb% values showed no significant changes. Lower body weight, aggressive behavior, and weakness were observed in the treated groups. Histopathologically, the lung revealed emphysematous changes, alveolar septal thickening, inflammatory cells infiltration, congestion, and thrombus formation in pulmonary artery. Liver exhibited hepatocyte degeneration with karyomegaly and karyorrhexis, derangement of hepatic cords and sinusoids with central vein congestion. Derangement of renal tubules, edema, and glomerular degeneration observed in the kidney. These observations lead us to postulate that tobacco and cigarette smoke exert detrimental effects on the structure of some vital organs in the body after direct or indirect uptake.