The effects of Jatropha tanjorensis aqueous leaf extract on haematological parameters in Wistar rats

Abstract

Immense benefits have been derived by man from using medicinal herbs in treatment and management of disease because they are relatively safer, more affordable and sometimes offer better therapeutic value than synthetic drugs. The leaves of Jatropha tanjorensis have been used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the Haematological indices of aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis in male Wistar rats.25 male Wistar rats weighing 150-180g were used for the research. The rats were divided into five groups of five rats each. Group I served as control, and groups II, III, IV and V were administered 125mg, 250mg, 500mg, and 750mg per kilogram body weight respectively of the Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract daily for 14 days. The rats were maintained under standard laboratory conditions at the animal house in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bingham University, Nasarawa State The rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and blood collected by cardiac puncture. 2mls of blood were placed in EDTA bottle for the determination of haematological parameters using Auto Haematology Analyzer. The result shows significant increase in RBC, Hb, PCV, WBC, and PLT in the groups treated with 125mg/kg ,250 mg/kg and 500mg/kg aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis when compared with the control(P<0.05). However, at higher dose of 750mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis, there was a decrease in RBC, Hb, PCV, WBC, and PLT (P<0.05) when compared with the control. There were no statistically significant changes in MCV, MCH, MCHC, Monocytes, Eosinophils and Basophils in all treated groups compared to the control. Neutrophils was significantly decreased in group treated with 750mg/kg compared with control (P> 0.05). The results of this study indicated that at lower doses, the aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis leaves may enhance haemopoiesis, but administration of higher dosage may cause haemolysis.

Keywords: Jatropha tanjorensis, Haematological indices, WBC, RBC, Platelets, Haemolysis