Investigating the ameliorative effects of the aqueous extract of Pleurotus ostreatus on cyclophosphamide-induced cytotoxicity in rabbits

Abstract

This study investigated the ameliorative effect of aqueous extract of Pleurotus ostreatus (APO) against cyclophosphamide-induced cytotoxicity in rabbits. Seventy-two healthy rabbits were divided into eight groups each with nine rabbits. Rabbits in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 (CPA-treated groups) were each given a single oral dose of 50 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide (CPA), however rabbits in groups 2, 3 and 4 were post-treated with 5.0, 7.5 or 10 mg/kg APO on day 1 and throughout the experiment. Rabbits in groups 5, 6, 7 and 8 (CPA-untreated groups) were given only 0.0, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg APO per day, respectively throughout the experiment. The experiment lasted 15 days. Serum chemistry analyses and histopathological examination of liver tissues were carried out. Serum creatinine, bilirubin, globulin and total protein concentrations observed in CPA-treated groups were higher (P < 0.05) than those of CPA-untreated groups. Highest (P < 0.05) values for total protein (83.60 g/dl) and globulin (43.16 g/dl) were recorded in CPA-treated groups administered 10.0 mg/kg APO per day. Haematological measurements (packed cell volume, haemoglobin, white blood cell, platelet and red blood cells) in CPA-treated groups were lower (P < 0.01) in comparison to those of CPA-untreated groups. However, an increase (P < 0.01) in the values of these parameters was observed following post-treatment of rabbits in the CPA-treated groups with 7.5 and 10.0 mg/kg APO per day. The findings of this study thus indicate that aqueous extract of Pleurotus ostreatus has the potential to ameliorate CPA-induced renal injury and myelosuppression in a dose-dependent manner.