Effect of Treatment with Oryza Sativa Husk Extract on the Hematological Parameters Exposed to Cadmium and Lead Toxicity

Exposure to heavy metals can significantly impact physiological processes and potentially lead to adverse health effects. The study evaluated the effect of oryza sativa husk extract on the hematological parameters of rats treated with cadmium and lead. A total of 40 male and female rats grouped eight of five (5) rats each were treated with graded doses of the extract after sublethal exposure to the metal mixture. Result revealed a significant (p<0.05) higher concentration of metals in the serum of rat fed with the metal mixture than the control. A significantly lower concentration of hematological parameters involving the red blood cell, platelet, white blood cell, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, hemoglobin and packed cell volume were also observed for the rats exposed to the metals compared to the normal control. This was restored to the normal values as recorded in the controls after treatment with oryza sativa husk extract. This finding indicates that exposure to sublethal doses of lead and cadmium induces alteration in hematological parameters and maybe ameliorated by treatment with oryza sativa husk.