The Therapeutic Potential of Allium sativum on Sleep Deprivation – Induced Haematological Toxicity in Adult Female Wistar Rats

Abstract

Sleep deprivation (SD) is a potent inducer of oxidative stress that disrupts hematological homeostasis through elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and systemic inflammation. This study evaluated the hematological consequences of SD and the potential ameliorative effects of Allium sativum (AS) aqueous extract in a rodent model. Twenty-five female Wistar rats (150–200 g) were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 5 per group) following a two-week acclimatization period with ad libitum access to food and water. Group I served as the normal control, while Group II was subjected to sleep deprivation without treatment. Groups III, IV, and V received AS extract orally at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Following the experimental period, animals were anesthetized and sacrificed for blood collection and hematological analysis. Sleep-deprived rats exhibited significant reductions in red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV), and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, alongside elevations in red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), indicative of impaired erythropoiesis and increased erythrocyte fragility. These hematological disturbances were associated with inflammatory responses, iron dysregulation, suppressed erythropoietin synthesis, and oxidative damage to erythrocyte membranes. Treatment with AS extract resulted in marked improvements in hematological parameters, including normalization of RDW and MCH levels and stabilization of RBC membranes. These effects are attributed to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and erythropoietic properties of AS, potentially mediated by bioactive constituents such as allicin and polyphenols. The findings support the therapeutic potential of Allium sativum in mitigating SD-induced hematological toxicity.