Allium sativum aqueous extract does not have chemo-protective effect on etoposide induced therapy-related DNA damage leading to Acute Myeloid Leukemia in albino-wistar rats

BACKGROUND: Therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) is a well-recognized clinical syndrome occurring in a significant fraction of patients who have undergone previous chemotherapy for a solid tumour. OBJECTIVES: We aim to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of fresh Allium sativum cloves on haematological parameters, bone marrow and DNA of etoposide treated albino wistar rats. Decoction method was used to prepare plant extracts and the rats were weighed and divided into experimental and control groups. Blood and bone marrow sample were analysed and DNA fragment analysis was carried out. RESULTS: There was progressive increase in the weight of animals that received distilled water only for the duration of the experiment while those that received etoposide only showed a sharp decrease in weight by the end of week 3. There was no significant difference in the mean of the haematological parameters in the test and control groups except for platelet count. The bone marrow smears showed no prevention of erythroblast fragmentation by the extract, in the same vein, DNA damage was not abated. CONCLUSION: Aqueous extract of fresh Allium sativum cloves may not be the option for the prevention of etoposide induced acute myeloid leukemia.