Ameliorating Effects of Fenugreek Seeds Powder against Hematotoxicity Induced by Aluminum Chloride in Male Rabbits

Background: Humans are exposed to aluminum from the mouth, nose and epidermal route inducing toxic effects. Accumulation of aluminum has been associated with a variety of pathologies such as anemia, osteodystrophy, joint diseases, muscular weakness, and Alzheimer’s diseases Fenugreek extracts have been shown to be neutralizing of free radicals and enhancing antioxidant status. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of fenugreek seeds against hematotoxicity induced by Aluminum chloride in male rabbits. Materials and Methods: This study included twenty-four adult male rabbits, which were divided into 4 groups, 6 rabbits for each. Group I (control group): Animals were provided with tap water and fed with a normal diet for 30 days. Group II (Fenugreek seeds powder group): Fenugreek seeds powder was given to rabbits in food at a dose of 10 g per kilogram of diet weight/kg of body weight/day for 30 Days. Group III (Aluminum chloride (ALCl3) group): Rabbits were treated orally with 150 mg/kg BW of AlCl3/day for 30 consecutive days. Group IV (Aluminum chloride/fenugreek co-administered group): Fenugreek seeds flour was added at a rate of 10 g per kilogram of diet weight, and rabbits were treated orally with 150 mg/kg BW of AlCl3/day for 30 consecutive days. At the end of the experiment and 24 hours after the last dose, all animals were anesthetized with ether and blood samples were collected by heart puncture. Results: The results of the study showed that the treatment of male rabbits with aluminum chloride resulted in a significant decrease (P<0.01) in RBCs count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value, MCV, MCH, and MCHC as compared to the control group. While there was a significant increase (P<0.01) in WBCs count, lymphocytes, and monocytes percentages and a significant decrease in granulocyte percentage when compared with the control group. Co-administration of fenugreek seeds powder and AlCl3 significantly improved all haematological parameters. Conclusion: The results showed that the administration of rabbits with aluminum chloride caused a hematotoxicity, and co-administration of fenugreek seeds powder with AlCl3 alleviate the hematotoxicity induced by AlCl3. The use of fenugreek seeds powder by humans can be considered beneficial in the alleviation of hematotoxicity. It is recommended that humans exposed to AlCl3 should be advised to take fenugreek seeds powder as a rich source of antioxidants to prevent hematotoxicity induced by AlCl3. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the exact mechanism of the anti-hematotoxic effect of Fenugreek seeds powder and the potential usefulness of fenugreek seeds powder as a protective agent against AlCl3 induced hematotoxicity in clinical trials.