Effects of Artemisia vulgaris L. and Cannabis sativa L. on body weight and haematological parameters of DMBA-induced female wistar rats

Patricia E. Ejembi, Samuel O. Odeh, Janet U. Itelima and Ponchang A. Wuyep

Advancement in Medicinal Plant Research
Published: January 7 2024
Volume 13, Issue 1
Pages 9-16

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants in managing toxicological and pathological conditions has garnered significant attention due to their bioactive components and therapeutic potential. Artemisia vulgaris L. (A. vulgaris) and Cannabis sativa L. (C. sativa) are notable for their diverse pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and restorative effects. This study investigates their impact on body weight and hematological parameters in female wistar rats exposed to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), a carcinogenic compound known to induce systemic toxicity and hematological disruptions. Understanding the protective and restorative effects of these plants could provide insights into alternative therapeutic approaches for mitigating DMBA-induced toxicity and its associated complications. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of leaf extracts of A. vulgaris L. and C. sativa L. on cancer using animal models. Sixty-three female albino rats were used and divided into nine groups of seven animals each. Group I (control) was fed a normal diet. Groups II to IX were orally administered 20 mg/kg of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) to induce tumors. Group II received no treatment, while Group III was treated with tamoxifen (6.6 mg/kg). Groups IV, V, and VI were treated with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg of A. vulgaris extract, respectively. Similarly, Groups VII, VIII, and IX were treated with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg of C. sativa extract, respectively. A significant reduction in body weight was observed in DMBA-induced animals. However, treatment with A. vulgaris and C. sativa extracts resulted in a gradual and significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in body weight across all treated groups. Additionally, treatment with the plant extracts demonstrated a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in hemoglobin and packed cell volume levels compared to the untreated DMBA group. A decrease in neutrophil and platelet levels was observed in the treated groups compared to the DMBA group, although this decrease was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The findings of this study suggest that A. vulgaris and C. sativa extracts may mitigate anemia and other hematological disruptions associated with breast cancer, highlighting their potential as complementary therapeutic agents.

Keywords: Breast cancer, Artemisia vulgaris, Cannabis sativa, body weight, hematological parameters, DMBA.

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