Cytoprotective Potential of Spondias mombin fractions on Sodium Arsenite-Induced Haematological, Biochemical and Genotoxic Perturbations in Rats

Abstract

Heavy metals are leading causes of environmental contamination and arsenic (As) is currently one of the most important metal 
contaminants particularly in the developing countries such as Nigeria. The effects of chromatographic fractions of Spondias 
mombin L. (SM) leaves on sodium arsenite-induced toxicities in male Wistar rats were evaluated. Thirty-five male rats allotted 
equally into seven groups (A – G): Groups A and B were treated with 0.1 mL 1% dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and distilled 
water respectively, Group C: sodium arsenite (SA) 2.5 mg/kg, Group D: 100 mg/kg ethyl acetate fraction of SM, Group E: 100 
mg/kg ethyl acetate fraction of SM and 2.5 mg/kg SA, Group F: 100 mg/kg methanol fraction of SM and SA, Group G: 100 
mg/kg methanol fraction. SM was administered orally for 14 days, while SA was administered as a single oral dose on the 14th
day of treatment with SM. Blood was taken 24 hours after SA administration and the animals were sacrificed. Phytochemical, 
haematological, biochemical, histopathological analyses and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs) induction in 
the bone marrow cells were evaluated at the termination of the experiment. Phytochemical screening revealed alkaloids, tannins, 
phenols and flavonoids in all the fractions. Ethyl acetate and methanol fractions contained cardiac glycosides and carbohydrates 
whereas only hexane and ethyl acetate fractions contained steroids. Results showed normocytic hypochromic anaemia, 
genotoxicity, kidney and perilobular hepatic damage in the group that received SA alone, which were significantly (p<0.05) 
ameliorated by the fractionated extracts. The PCV, Hb, MCV and MCH values for group G, which was treated with methanol 
fraction alone were significantly higher (p<0.05) while the differential Lymphocytes and Neutrophils counts were significantly 
increased (p<0.05) in group D. The changes in the mean values of AST, ALP and BUN for Groups D and G were significantly 
lower (p<0.05) when compared with group B. In conclusion, the methanol and ethyl acetate fractions of S. mombin, exhibited 
hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and genoprotective properties against sodium arsenite-induced toxicity in Wistar rats.