Effect of Calpurnia aurea Seed Extract on HAART Induced Haematotoxicity in Albino Wistar Rats

Aim: To investigate the effect of Calpurnia aurea seeds extract on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), first phase regimens (Lamivudine + Efavirenz + Zidovudine) induced heamtotoxicity in rats.

Study Design: Thirty adult healthy male albino wistar rats of weighing about 140-150 gms were used in the present study. They were divided into five groups six each. Group- I distilled water only; Group- II HAART drugs only; Group- III HAART drugs + 100 mg/kg of CASE (CASE: Calpurnia aurea Seed Extract); Group- IV HAART drugs + 200 mg/kg of CASE and Group- V HAART drugs + 300 mg/kg of CASE were administered orally for 35 day.

Methodology: Matured dried seeds of Calpurnia aurea were collected, powdered and extracted using 70% ethanol. Preliminary phytochemical screening and in-vitro antioxidant properties of extract were done. The HAART and different doses of the Calpurnia aurea seed extract were administered orally for thirty-five days. On 35th day, the rats were fasted overnight and the blood sample was collected by cardiac puncture after sacrificed the rats by cervical dislocation.

Results: HAART did not alter the total WBC (P=0.56, 7340±500 vs 7080±1381) and platelets count (P=0.76, 751000±56059 vs 742200±11921) but significantly alter the total RBC (P=0.001, 7008000±559521 vs 8832000±142211), HCT (P=0.001, 46.56±3 vs 64.75±1) and haemoglobin (P=0.001 12.90±1.12 vs 15.42±0.49) the affected parameters were restored by CASE in dose dependent meaner. However the CASE significantly reduced the platelets counts in the experimental rats.

Conclusion: This report shows that CASE is an effective counter measure for the toxic haematopoietic effects of HAART. This is may be because of CASE contains phytochemicals such as tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids etc which attenuate the HAART induced hematopoietic cell death in the periphery and bone marrow or it may be promote hematopoietic functions by regulating erythropoietin. Furthermore CASE oral administration reduces the platelet count not in the dose dependant manner. The molecular mechanism of action of the drug needs further clarification.