Effect of aqueous stem and bark extracts of hyphaene thebaica (L) mart on some haematological parameters in normal wister strain albino rats

Abstract

Medicinal plants have long been effective in the treatment of many diseases in Asian communities and throughout the world and it also has a lot to offer in the treatment and prevention of many diseases such as anaemia. The effect of aqueous stem and bark extracts of Hyphaene thebaica (L) Mart on some haematological indices in normal albino rats were investigated. Method: Thirty five normal white albino rats were divided into seven groups of five rats each. Group one served as the control group, group 2, 3 and 4 served as the test groups for the stem extract and group 5, 6 and 7 served as the test groups for the bark extract to which oral intubation of 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg dosages of the extracts were administered. All the rats were fed with normal diet Vital feed Jos, Nigeria Ltd and normal water ad-libitum for 21 days and blood samples collected from the animals were assayed for haemoglobin, red blood cell count and white blood cell count. Results: The phytochemical screening of both extracts reveals the presence of saponins, carbohydrates, flavonoids and terpenoids. Haematological parameters showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in haemoglobin and red blood cell at the dose of 800mg/kg of both extracts at first week of extracts administration when
compared to the control group. However, significant (p<0.05) increase was observed in second and third weeks. However, significant (p<0.05) increase was observed compared to the control in white blood cell count throughout the duration of treatment (3 weeks). There was no effect in feed intake for the entire duration of treatment in all the groups. Conclusion: The aqueous stem and bark extracts of Hyphaene thebaica could boost immune system and may be useful in the management of anaemia.