Hematological, histopathological and oxidative stress responses to n-hexane extract of Terminalia catappa nuts in leukemia-induced Wistar rats

Abstract

Background: Terminalia catappa nut possesses antioxidant and anticancer properties, but its effects on leukemia are unclear. This study investigates the effects of n-hexane extract of Terminalia catappa nut (TCN) on some hematological parameters, oxidative stress markers, and bone/spleen histopathology in a Wistar rat model of benzene-induced leukemia. Methods: Leukemia was induced in Wistar rats with 0.2 ml/kg Benzene solution and treated with 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg/day of Terminalia catappa nut extract (TCN) for 42 days and with 5-fluorouracil (20 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection twice a week for 6 weeks. Hematological parameters, antioxidant markers, and bone and spleen histology were analysed. Results: All TCN doses significantly lowered elevated WBCs by 32-53% and normalized RBC parameters compared to leukemic controls, mitigating cancer-induced anemia. TCN also exhibited potent antioxidant effects by enhancing SOD, GSH, and catalase while reducing MDA versus untreated rats. Bone marrow analysis revealed TCN conferred dose-dependent benefits on cellularity and architecture, reducing myeloid blasts and leukocyte infiltration. A near-normal bone microarchitecture was attained with the highest TCN dose. Similarly, TCN elicited marked improvements in splenic cytoarchitecture and attenuation of hypercellularity, lymphocytic infiltration and megakaryocytes compared to leukemic controls in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: Terminalia catappa nut extract demonstrated anti-leukemic, haematopoietic, antioxidant, and organ protective effects in leukemic Wistar rats induced with benzene solution, supporting its potential as an adjuvant therapeutic agent.