Biochemical and Haematological Assessment of Croton tiglium Seeds Mixed with Animal Diet in Male Albino Rats

Aim: The present study evaluates the toxic effects of Croton tiglium seeds mixed with animal diet on plasma and blood parameters in male albino rats.

Methodology: Eighteen adult albino male rats, of age 6-8 weeks with an average body weight 120-160 grams, were used in this study. After acclimatization period the animals were divided into 3 groups each of 6, and they treated as follow: Group (I): given normal animals and served as control. Group (II) and (III): were given a mixture of animal’s diet with Croton tiglium crushed seeds at concentrations of 10% or 20% respectively. The experiment was conducted for two weeks.

During the experiment, animal’s body weight was taken weekly, clinical observations and mortality were also recorded daily. At the end of the experiment, animals were slaughtered and blood samples were collected into bottles containing no anticoagulant the blood samples were allowed to clot and serum was obtained by centrifuging at 1609.92 g for 5 minutes, the clear serum was removed by pipetting and some of biochemical variables were then determined. The other part of the blood was collected into Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) – containing samples bottles for haematological analysis.

Results: Blood glucose levels of rats fed a diet containing Croton tiglium seeds show a significant decrease in the concentration of both treated groups compared with control group. Total protein, albumin and globulins in animals in groups who fed with a diet containing 10% and 20% Croton tiglium plant seeds were at the same levels of their values in control rats and no significant changes in these parameters compared with the control. Urea showed a significant increase. A significant increase in total cholesterol concentration in group III and non significant increase in group II compared with group 1 at P≤ 0.05. No significant change in activity between control and treated animals was occurred in Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, while Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity showed significant decrease in group 3 who fed a diet containing 20% Croton seeds and an elevation of about 20% to animals in group II. Haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells count (RBCs) and Packed cell volume (PCV) showed significant increase values over control when rats fed with a diet containing either 10% or 20% crude Croton tiglium plant at P ≤ 0.05, and significant decrease in Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH). Other parameters, White blood cells count (WBCs), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and Lymphocytes (LYM) showed no remarkable alteration from control values at either dose treatment.

Conclusion: Croton seeds administration at doses of 10% and 20% have little effect on some haematological indices specially those relating to red blood cell and white blood cells.