Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Hemato-Histopathological changes induced by Diclofenac Sodium in local Male Rabbits

Abstract

Background :Diclofenac sodium is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic drug, It is widely used in the world.
Aims: to identify effect of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) on haematological and histopathological changes induced by diclofenac sodium.
Methods: Fifteen local male rabbits divided equally and randomly into three groups, each group fife rabbits. First group (control group) injected intramuscularly with normal saline (9% NaCl) for 14 days. Second group injected intramuscularly with diclofenac sodium (1.5 mg/kg of BW) daily for 14 days. Third group injected intramuscularly with ascorbic acid (150 mg/kg of BW), after two hours injected intramuscularly with 1.5 mg/kg of B.W of diclofenac sodium for 14 days.
Results: Diclofenac sodium caused significant decrease (p<0.05) of hematocritic percentage, haemoglobin concentration and platelets count, significant increase of reticulocytes. White blood cells, neutrophil showed significant decrease (p<0.05). The histopathological changes include alteration in liver tissue including dilation of sinusoid, intracytoplasmic vacuolation, congestion of sinusoids and little fatty changes. Kidney in second group showed mononuclear cell infiltrations, dilation of proximal convoluted tubule, expended of glomeruli and focal tubular necrosis. In third group, the used of ascorbic acid lead to correction of haematological parameters variation and histopathological changes, this may be result from antioxidant activity of ascorbic acid to scavenger of free radicle and restricted of toxicity of diclofenac sodium.