Kolaviron alleviates haematological abnormalities and hepato-renal damage in Naja nigricollis nigricollis venom-treated rats

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of kolaviron against haematological abnormalities and hepato-renal damage in Naja n. nigricollis (NNN) venom-treated rats. METHODS: Twenty-four male rats were grouped into four (n = 6). A single intravenous dose of NNN venom (≈½LD(50)) was given to group B–D (excluding A). All the groups were immediately treated intraperitoneally as follows: A (Normal control) and B (Envenom) received 0.40 mL/kg of 0.1% Tween 80, while C and D (test groups), received 200 and 400 mg/kg of kolaviron respectively. After 6 h, they were anaesthetized, and sacrificed. RESULTS: NNN-venom LD(50) was estimated at 1.14 mg/kg. Injected half LD(50), after 6 h, caused significant (p < 0.05) decreases in RBC, HGB and PCV, with increases in WBC and NEUT. Significantly (p < 0.05) increased AST, ALT, GGT, TB, CRE, URE, UA and K with concomitant decreases in Na and HCO(3). Oxidant/antioxidant markers (MDA, CAT and SOD) were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in liver and kidney homogenates. Histological analysis confirmed liver and kidney injuries. All these alterations were alleviated dose-dependently, when cotreated with kolaviron at 200 and 400 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that kolaviron could alleviates haematological abnormalities and hepato-renal damage in NNN venom-treated rats by depleting ROS and/or boasting the antioxidant system.