Ameliorative effect of Chamomile flowers extract against thinner inhalation-induced hematotoxicity in rats

Volatile organic compounds in thinner are considered harmful to the environment and occupational workers. One of the adverse health effects of thinner exposure is hematotoxicity. This study aimed to study the hematotoxic effects of chronic thinner inhalation and the possible protection by chamomile extract administration. Adult male Wistar rats were exposed to thinner fumes for 8 weeks (4 hours/day, 6 days/week), while chamomile flower extract (400mg/kg b.w) was given orally during thinner exposure for the same period. The study showed significant decreases in RBCs count, Hb content, HCT%, MCV, MCH, and PLTs count in thinner exposed group comparing with control group. Similar decreases were observed in total and differential WBCs count, except for neutrophils that were increased significantly with reference to control group. Administration of chamomile with thinner exposure showed a reverse behavior for all tested parameters on comparing with thinner exposed group. Therefore, consumption of chamomile extract had an ameliorative effect against thinner inhalation induced hematotoxicity in rats.