Haemato-Protective and Hypolipidemic Effects of Aqueous Extract of Libyan Propolis Against Sodium Nitrite Induced Haematotoxicity and Hyperlipidemia in Guinea Pigs

Abstract

Flavonoids and various phenolics are the most important pharmacologically active constituents in propolis capable of scavenging free radicals. The present work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of aqueous extract of Libyan propolis as a natural source of antioxidants to minimize the harmful effects of sodium nitrite induced haematotoxicity and hyperlipidemia in Guinea pigs. In this study, Twenty four adult male Guinea pigs were used for this study and divided into four groups. The first group was control group, the 2nd was the propolis group orally received propolis (200 mg/kg body wt), the 3rd was the experimental and received sodium nitrite orally at a dose of 80 mg/kg body weight, the 4th one co-administered sodium nitrite orally at a dose of 80 mg/kg body weight with propolis (200 mg/kg body wt) daily for 35 days. Blood samples were obtained for assessment of haematological parameters and serum lipids profile. In sodium nitrite treated animals, there were severe haematological changes and dyslipidemia. Haematologically, Guinea pigs that received sodium nitrite orally at a dose of 80 mg/kg body weight daily for 35days had significantly (p<0.05) lower red blood cell count, hemoglobin content, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count, and platelets count than those in the control animals. On the other hand, mean corpuscular volume of sodium nitrite treated animals was significantly (p<0.05) elevated as compared to the control animals. The serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipids cholesterol, very low density lipids cholesterol concentrations, and the atherogenic ratios based on lipid profile parameters (Castelli’s risk index I, Castelli’s risk index II, atherogenic coefficient and atherogenic index of plasma) were increased and serum high density lipids cholesterol concentration was decreased in sodium nitrite treated group. Co-administration of propolis significantly improved of all haematological and lipid profile parameters, and atherogenic ratios parameters. It can be concluded that, sodium nitrite had adverse effects on haematological, lipid profile parameters, and the atherogenic ratios parameters. Propolis supplementation showed a remarkable amelioration of these abnormalities in sodium nitrite treated male Guinea pigs. It is recommended that the use of sodium nitrite must be limited and use of propolis as antioxidant to prevent the toxic effect. Further studies are necessary to elucidate exact mechanism of protection of haematotoxicity, hyperlipidemia, atherogenic and potential usefulness of aqueous extract of Libyan propolis as a protective agent against sodium nitrite induced haematotoxicity, dyslipidemia and atherogenic in clinical trials.