Publication:

Effect of melatonin on hematological indices in cyclophosphamide induced hematotoxicity in mice

Background Cyclophosphamide use is often limited by associated hematotoxicity.  This study investigated the effects of melatonin on haematological indices in cyclophosphamide-induced hematotoxicity in mice.

Methods Ninety mice weighing between 20-25 gm were randomly divided equally into nine groups (A-I). Group A (saline control) received 2 ml/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) normal saline with 10 ml/kg distilled water orally, groups B, C and D (melatonin control) received i.p. normal saline with melatonin at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg orally, respectively. Group E (cyclophosphamide control) received 150 mg/kg/day i.p. cyclophosphamide with 10 ml/kg distilled water orally, while group F received 150 mg/kg/day cyclophosphamide with standard drug, (erythropoietin control) at 100 IU/kg.  Group G, H and I (treatment groups) received 150 mg/kg/day cyclophosphamide with melatonin at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg/day orally.  Cyclophosphamide was administered on days 1 and 2 only, oral administrations occur once daily for 14 days. On day 15, animals were sacrificed and blood collected by cardiac puncture for assessment of haematological parameters; white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC) and platelets (PLT).

Results The results showed a significant increase in WBC in groups C D, G and H (melatonin control; 10 mg/kg. 20 mg/kg and melatonin treatment; 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) and a significant (p=0.001) decrease in group E (cyclophosphamide control) compared to A (saline control). RBC increased significantly in groups B and D (melatonin control; 5 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) and significantly decreased in group E (cyclophosphamide control) compared to group A (saline control). Compared to group E (cyclophosphamide control), RBC increased significantly in groups F-I (erythropoietin standard, melatonin treatment). PLT increased significantly in groups B, C, (melatonin control; 5mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) G, H and I (melatonin treatment) compared with groups A (saline control) and E (cyclophosphamide control) (p=0.001).

Conclusions Melatonin has potential to attenuate cyclophosphamide-induced hematotoxicity in mice.