Investigation of hematological and histopathological effects of Castanea sativa Propolis in male rats

Abstract

Propolis is a multifunctional material used by bees in the construction and maintenance of their hives. It is a popular folk medicine possessing a broad spectrum of biological activities including anticancer, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antibiotic and antihepatotoxic. In the present study, we investigated the hematological and histopathological effects of Castanea sativa propolis in male rats. The ethanol-propolis extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight/day was given by gavage to male rats for 15 days. At the end of the treatment, hematological parameters and serum electrolytes were analysed and weights of liver, kidney, spleen, adrenal gland and testis were recorded. On hematological examination, increases in red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit, and a decrease in platelets were observed in alcohol and propolis groups when compared to the control group. There were increases also in serum sodium, potassium and chloride levels of rats in alcohol and propolis groups, but there was a decrease in serum calcium level of rats at the same groups. A decrease in adrenal weights and relative weights of adrenal of rats in alcohol and propolis groups was also observed. Histopathologically, congestion in portal veins and sinusoids, mononuclear cell infiltration and hydropic degeneration in liver, congestion in cortex and medulla, and tubular damages in the kidney of rats in alcohol and propolis groups were observed.