Background: Mercury chloride is a well-established toxicant known to induce hematological alterations, including oxidative hemolysis, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Medicinal plants with antioxidant properties have been investigated as potential protective agents against toxicant-induced damage. Anthocleista djalonensis (A. djalonensis), which is widely used in traditional medicine, has been reported to contain bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. This study aimed to investigate the role of A. djalonensis in mitigating mercury chloride-induced hematological alterations.
Methods: This experimental randomized controlled animal study was conducted using thirty-six adult Wistar rats, which were randomly assigned to six groups (n=6 each). Group A served as the control; Group B received only 2 mg/kg of mercury chloride. Groups C and D received mercury chloride together with 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg of A. djalonensis extract, respectively, while Groups E and F received only A. djalonensis at doses of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, respectively. The extract was prepared by freeze-drying, and hematological parameters were assessed using an automated hematology analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, with the significance level set at p < 0.05.
Results: Mercury chloride exposure significantly reduced red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, and platelet levels, indicating hematotoxicity. Co-administration with A. djalonensis, particularly at 150 mg/kg, significantly improved these hematological indices, suggesting a protective effect. The plant extract also enhanced mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, indicating potential erythropoietic support.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that A. djalonensis mitigates mercury chloride-induced hematotoxicity, likely through antioxidative mechanisms. These results highlight its potential therapeutic role in the management of hematological disorders associated with toxicant exposure.
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