Olive leaf extract effects and lead acetate accumulation on hematological parameters in adult rabbits

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is identified as a toxic heavy metal at high concentrations, where the global blood level for Pb intoxication is 10 μg/dl. This study aimed to assess the effect of olive leaf extract against the accumulation of lead acetate in adult rabbits on hematological parameters and weight. Experiments were conducted in a special farm in eastern Libya; therefore, sixteen adult rabbits were allocated into 4 groups with 4 in each: (G1) control untreated, (G2) supplied with 40 mg/kg body weight (BWT) of lead acetate (PbAc), (G3) supplied with 200 mg/kg BWT of olive leaf extract (OLE), and (G4) supplied with PbAc + OLE with the previous concentrations. The results of the study showed that after two months of various treatments to the animal groups under study, despite the negative effect of lead acetate accumulation on the animals’ weights and hematological parameters such as haemoglobin concentration (Hb), red blood cell count (RBCs) and white blood cell count (WBCs) compared to the control group, the use of the aqueous extract of olive leaves had a positive effect, as it improved the animals’ weights and all blood parameters when dosed alone and also reduced the negative effects of lead acetate accumulation.