Ameliorative Effects of Taraxacum officinale Crude Extracts on Paclitaxel Induced-Haematological Toxicity and Oxidative Stress

Promise Madu Emeka, Haya Mohammed Almofarfesh, Sulafa Abdulla Alsahlawi and Hany Aly Hassan Mohammad

Background and Objective: Paclitaxel (PTX) is an effective anticancer agent but in the same fashion, has a major dose-limiting haematological toxicity. Taraxacum officinale (TXO) crude extract has been used in the treatment of anaemia in herbal remedies. Here, this study evaluated the possible attenuation of PTX-induced haematological adverse effects and lipid peroxidation with coadministration of TXO crude extract. Materials and Methods: The whole plant of TXO was soaked in water for 24 hrs, filtered, and evaporated to dryness with rotary evaporator. Five groups of 6 adult rats weighing between 150-160 g were used. Normal saline was administered to control group 1, group 2 was given 30 mg kg^–1 of PTX alone intraperitoneally. Group 3 and 4 were given PTX 30 mg kg^–1 followed by 200 and 400 mg kg^–1 TXO respectively. The fifth group received 200 mg kg^–1 TXO alone. Drug administration lasted for 10 days after which animals were sacrificed and blood collected for differential analysis. Significant (p<0.001) weight losses in PTX treated group and were attenuated by coadministration of TXO. Results: Group treated with TXO alone showed a significant (p<0.001) weight gain. Non-significant decreases in RBC counts, haemoglobin and haematocrit were observed with PTX alone, which were increased with the addition of TXO. Results also showed significant (p<0.05) decreases in WBC, neutrophil and platelet counts by PTX were also attenuated by co-administration with TXO. Increased lipid peroxidation by PTX was significantly reduced as well. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that TXO crude extract has the potential to attenuate PTX-induced haematological adverse effects in rats, an anticancer drug frequently used in the treatment of many cancers.

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