Biochemical evaluation of chloramphenicol-induced lymphoma and ameliorative potentials of Justicia carnea and Cnidoscolus aconitifolius in male Wistar rats

The biochemical implication of chloramphenicol-induced lymphoma and the ameliorative potential of Justicia carnea and Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on male Wistar rats were evaluated in this study. Seventy (70) male Wistar rats with average body weights of 128g were randomly grouped into 14 of 5 rats each. Group 1 received commercial rat feed and water ad libitum. Rats in groups 2-14 were given 250mg/kg bodyweight of chloramphenicol by oral intubation for 28 days. Results of blood samples collected after 28 days from all the groups showed normal blood film in Group 1 and abnormal increases and lymphocytes and the presence of blast cells in Groups 2-14. Group 2 did not receive any treatment and is referred to as the negative control. The remaining groups (3-14) were administered with aqueous leaf extracts of J. carnea (Groups 3-6), C. aconitifolius (Groups 7-10), and a combination of both extracts (Groups 11-14) in doses of 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg, 1500mg/kg and 2000mg/kg respectively, for 28 days. Data obtained showed that lymphocytes were elevated (p<0.05) in Group 2 lymphocytosis and there was the presence of blast cells indicating lymphoma when compared to Group 1. The combination of J. carnea and C. aconitifolius was able to ameliorate the chloramphenicol-induced lymphoma better than the single therapy of each extract. The result of the investigation supports the earlier findings that chloramphenicol could cause acute lymphocytic leukemia. It further provides evidence that combined extracts of J. carnea and C. aconitifolius may have an ameliorative effect in blood diseases connected to over-exposure to chloramphenicol.