Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Aniline, a widely used industrial chemical, is associated with severe anaemia and oxidative damage to the spleen, posing significant health risks through environmental and occupational exposure. Therefore, this study evaluated the therapeutic potential of bee venom (Apis mellifera intermissa) from north-eastern Algeria in mitigating these effects. METHODS: Acute anemia was induced via oral administration of aniline hydrochloride (100 mg/kg body weight), while recovery was assessed following intraperitoneal injection of bee venom (0.76 mg/kg body weight) for six days. RESULTS: Aniline exposure resulted in marked physiological, hematological, and biochemical impairments, including reduced body weight, food intake, red blood cell counts, and levels of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), ferrous iron (Fe(2+)), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), index of distribution of RBC (IDR), and index of distribution of platelets (IDP), along with increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) level and catalase activity in spleen tissues. Histopathological analysis revealed splenomegaly, hyperplasia of the white pulp, and increased extramedullary hematopoiesis. Bee venom treatment significantly reversed these effects, restoring hematological parameters, antioxidant enzyme levels, and spleen architecture. CONCLUSION: Bee venom showed potential as a natural therapeutic agent against aniline-induced anaemia and oxidative spleen damage, highlighting its antioxidative and restorative properties.