Ameliorative effect of seed extract of Pterocarpus santalinus on coragen induced haematological alterations and serum biochemical changes in Charles Foster rats

Abstract

In the present study, the ameliorative effect of an aqueous extract of Pterocarpus santalinus against coragen induced haematological changes, biochemical alterations and oxidative damage in Charles foster rats was undertaken. Coragen administration (1000 mg kg-1 body weight orally for 6 weeks) was associated with significant rise in serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, urea, uric acid and creatinine and enhanced lipid peroxidation which is evident by significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Furthermore, significant changes in the haematological indices (red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin percentage, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume of RBCs, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and white blood cell (WBC) count) were observed. Treatment with aqueous seed extract of P. santalinus (300 mg kg-1 body weight orally for 30 days) attenuated the oxidative stress and improved haematological as well as biochemical alterations evoked by Coragen. Thus, P. santalinus possesses ameliorative effect against coragen induced toxicity.   Key words: Pterocarpus santalinus, coragen, lipid peroxidation, oxidative damage, MDA.