Publications

One of the prominent complications observed in those undergoing treatmentwith methotrexate (MTX) is hematological profile alterations which could culminate insevere anemia. In this study, we assessed the hematological profile indices in MXTtreatedrats and the effect of leaf extract of Datura stramonium (LEDS) supplementationin MXT-treated rats. Ethanol (98%) was the solvent used in extraction. Animals weredivided at random into four groups. Animals in group 1 received normal saline (5 mg/kg)orally and feeding was limitless and did not receive MXT. Animals in group 2 were givenLEDS orally (200 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days while group 3 received 20 mg/kg bodyweight (bw) of MXT on day 18 via the intra-peritoneum without LEDS. Rats in group 4were given the extract (200 mg/kg bw) and also injected with 20 mg/kg bw of MXTon day 18 of the study via the intra-peritoneum. Serum levels of hemoglobin, red bloodcells, packed cell volume, total white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and plateletswere determined. Rats treated with MXT had notable depletion in hemoglobin, red bloodcells, packed cell volume, total white blood cells, neutrophils, and platelets, unlike thecontrol group. Interestingly, LEDS supplementation markedly restored the alteredhematological profiles. MXT injection caused hematological dysfunction while cosupplementationwith LEDS restored the impaired hematological indices. Therefore,LEDS could be a promising tool in arresting hematological dysfunctions accompanyingMXT chemotherapy. However, we advocate for further prospective scrutiny.