Cinnamomum Camphora (Camphor) Sub-Acute Inhalation: Effect on Clinical Biochemistry and Haematology of Wounded Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

The widespread industrial and traditional application of Camphor leading to clinical and subclinical exposures is the basis for this study. This study seeks to evaluate the clinical implications of sub-acute inhalation exposure to Cinnamomum camphora to the clinical biochemistry, haematology and inflammatory response to wound in male Wistar rats. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats (mean body weight of 137.90±1.84 g) randomly allocated to four groups of five (5) rats each, were used for this work. Group I rats were not exposed to Camphor while group II rats were exposed for 28 days. Both groups remained unwounded. Group III were unexposed and wounded, while group IV were exposed for 28 days before and 12 days after surgical wounding. Blood was collected on day 28 post exposure in groups I and II, and on days 3, 6, 9 and 12 postsurgery in groups III and IV. The results of the liver and kidney functionality tests showed no adverse effect on the integrity of these organs in the exposed subjects, confirming the safety of the compound at this level of exposure. Haematology showed neutrophil count for exposedunwounded rats (32.6 %) to be less than those of the unexposed-unwounded (50.0 %). However,
while the neutrophil and lymphocyte counts for the exposed-wounded rats were comparable to that of the unexposed, the monocyte population of the exposed was higher (4.7 % and 5.0 %) than the unexposed (2.5 % and 3.5 %). Thus, sub-acute inhalation exposure to Cinnamomum camphora was not toxic to male Wistar rats, but rather showed potential towards promoting systemic conditions for improved wound healing.