African Polyherbal Formulation Possesses Chemopreventive and Chemotherapeutic Effects on Benzene- Induced Leukemia in Wistar Rats

Background: Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are effective cancer treatment options but they are accompanied by serious side effects and complications such as systemic cytotoxicity, chemo- or radio-resistance. Therefore, more effective therapies are sorely needed. This study investigated the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects of a polyherbal formulation on benzene induced leukemia in Wistar rats. The polyherbal formulation is composed of fruits such as Orange, Lime, Lemon, Pineapple, Grape and Vegetables like; Pumpkin leave, Garden egg suspended in honey medium.

Methods: Leukemia was induced by injecting 0.2 ml of benzene solution intravenously through the tail of young rats at 48 h intervals for four times. Leukemia developed in 92% of rats some weeks after the last benzene injection and following up weekly observation for leukemia development in appropriate rat groups. Leukemia burden was assessed using indicator parameters such as total leukocyte, red blood cell count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration. Exactly 0.48 ml of the polyherbal formulation was administered orally by gavage using oral cannular once daily post leukemia induction for four weeks.

Results: Leukemia induction reflected in significant reduction in hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, red cell count and a marked and a significant increase in leukocyte count over the control (p < 0.05). There is significant difference between the chemopreventive group and chemotherapeutic (leukemia positive group treated with poly-herbal formulation) and the leukemia positive control group untreated.

Conclusion: This study reveals profound activity of the poly-herbal formulation at preventing and reversing experimentally developed leukemia in the rat groups, hence the ability of the polyherbal formulation in alleviating the cancer symptoms.