SANTH RANI THAAKUR AND PUSHPA KUMARI B
Abstract
Carbamazepine is indicated for tonic clonic seizures and trigeminal neuralgia, however, it has been linked with various blood cell abnormalities. Carbamazepine is known to deplete vital nutrients such as folic acid, vitamin D and biotin. Depletion of nutrients is known to cause adverse effects such as ataxia, nystagmus, lethargy, slurred speech and hematological disturbances. Spirulina is a rich source of vital nutrients including iron. It is proposed to study the effect of spirulina on the hematological disturbances induced by carbamazepine. Seven groups of male albino rats weighing 130-150g were used. Each group consisted of six animals. Carbamazepine at a dose of 50mg/kg/day dissolved in water, spirulina 50, 100, 200 mg/kg/day suspended in 1% tween 80 alone or in combination with carbamazepine was administered for 45 days. Haemoglobin content, total leucocyte and erythrocyte count was determined on 45th day. Carbamazepine significantly decreased the hemoglobin content, total erythrocyte and leucocyte count. Spirulina did not show any effect at the lower dose of 50 and 100mg/kg and higher dose of 200mg/kg significantly elevated hemoglobin content. Spirulina at a dose of 200mg/kg/day reversed the carbamazepine induced decrease in hemoglobin content, total erythrocyte and leucocyte count. The results of this study indicate that supplementation of cabamazepine with Spirulina reverses the haematological disturbances induced by cabamazepine.