Supplementation of Chlorella vulgaris Ameliorates the Stress-induced Hematological Alterations in Wistar Rats

Stress has been associated with various diseases and physiological disruptions. Chlorella vulgaris is known for its antioxidant properties. This study examined the effects of C. vulgaris on the hematological profile of stress-induced Wistar rats. Stress significantly impacted various hematological parameters, including erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit levels, white blood cell count, and platelet count. The supplementation of cultivated C. vulgaris effectively restored erythrocyte count and suppressed elevated lymphocyte levels, while commercially available C. vulgaris and amitriptyline drugs had no significant effects on these parameters. Stress caused smaller-sized erythrocytes but did not significantly affect mean corpuscular volume. Both amitriptyline and C. vulgaris restored platelet levels, while mean platelet volume remained unaffected. Overall, C. vulgaris showed promise as a therapeutic intervention for countering stress-induced inhibition of erythropoiesis and restoring erythrocyte count, but more research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop effective strategies for managing stress-related changes in hematological parameters. © Universiti Putra Malaysia Press.