Biochemistry & Analytical Biochemistry

Abstract

Investigation of Ethanol Stem Bark Extract of Treculia africana on the Haematological Parameters of Albino Wistar Rats

Nwankpa P, Chukwuemeka OG and Ekweogu CN

This study evaluated the effect of ethanol stem bark extract of Treculia africana (African bread fruit) on haematological status in wistar rats. Twenty four wistar rats were divided into four (4) groups. Group I received daily oral dose of 5 mg/kg of the extract, Group II received daily oral dose of 15 mg/kg of the extract, Group Ill received daily oral dose of 25 mg/kg of the extract while Group IV received normal saline and served as the control. After 21 days of treatment, the rats were sacrificed and plasma obtained for haematological assay. Result showed that there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in packed cell volume (%) in test groups (39.66 ± 0.57; 37.65 ± 0.47; 38.74 ± 0.38) and Hemoglobin level (g/dl) (17.86 ± 0.23; 17.1 ± 0.15; 17.43 ± 0.28) compared to the control (34.33 ± 0.57) and (14.70 ± 0.15) respectively. Red blood cell count (cell/litre) revealed an insignificant (P>0.05) increase in test groups compared to control. There were significant (P<0.05) increases in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) in group Ill (110.53 ± 0.15 and 50.83 ± 0.80) compared to control (100.76 ± 1.67 and 45.76 ± 0.82) respectively. Furthermore, the white blood cells (WBC) showed significant (P<0.05) increase in test groups (6.93 ± 0.50, 9.50 ± 0.57, 9.13 ± 0.42) compared to the control (5.23 ± 0.52). Lymphocytes (%) revealed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in group 1(36.56 ± 3.60) compared to control (4.66 ± 0.57) while neutrophils (%) showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in test groups (62.23 ± 2.51, 64.36 ± 3.78, 59.66 ± 4.50) compared to the control (50.20 ± 6.08). The results of this study revealed that the extract is capable of stimulating red blood cell formation (erythropoiesis) and an active phagocytic agent against foreign compounds and may be useful for haemopoietic conditions.