The Chronic Effects of Teucrium polium on Some Blood Parameters and Histopathology of Liver and Kidney in the Rat

Authors: KHALED KHLEIFAT, JUMAH SHAKHANBEH, KHALED A. TARAWNEH

Abstract: The effects of chronic treatment with small sublethal doses (20 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) of Teucrium polium ethanolic extract were investigated on the hematological and biochemical composition of the blood, histopathology of the liver and kidney, and fertility in the rat. Hematological and biochemical parameters of the blood, as well as sperm count, morphology and motility were normal after 6 weeks of herbal treatment. However, blood urea (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.005) were significantly increased, with marked cytoplasmic vacuolation of the liver and kidney cells after chronic treatment with 50 mg/kg of the plant. These results demonstrate some histopathological effects of T. polium on the liver and kidney under long-term administration conditions.

Keywords: Teucrium polium, hematology, liver, urea, sperm count

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