Antioxidative chemoprotection by <i>Napoleonaea vogelii </i>in benzene-induced leukemogenesis and hepatic dysfunction in Wistar Rat

Exposure to benzene (BZ) is a potential risk factor for human health as it leads to hematological disorders and liver damage. This study investigates the efficacy of <i>Napoleonaea vogelii</i> (<i>NV</i>) against BZ-induced liver injury and onco-hematological initiation in Wistar rats. Rats were intranasally exposed to BZ (400 mg/kg body weight) or co-treated with <i>NV</i> (400 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days consecutively. Treatment with <i>NV</i> mitigated reduction in PCV, hemoglobin content, red blood cells and restored white blood cell counts altered in BZ exposed rats. It reduced the incidences of anisocytosis, poikilocytosis and blast frequency in blood of BZ-exposed rats. <i>NV</i> ameliorated impaired liver function by significantly reduced the activities of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin level relative to BZ-intoxicated rats. BZ exposure also altered redox status through significant reduction in serum total thiol, hepatic activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione level with concomitant increase in serum advanced oxidized protein products and hepatic malondialdehyde level relative to control (CTRL). However, co-treatment with <i>NV</i> re-established the serum and hepatic antioxidant status. Moreover, the increase in serum levels of proinflammatory markers: TNF-alpha, NF-KB and MPO were observed in rats exposed to BZ relative to CTRL. However, treatment with <i>NV </i>proffers abrogative influence on the surge elevation observed in TNF-alpha, NF-KB and MPO in treated rats when compared to the BZ exposed rats.<i> </i>Overall, <i>NV</i> protected against oxidative hepatic injury and hematological derangement caused by BZ in rats.