Effects of the Aqueous Fruit Extract of Solanum macrocarpum Linn. on Some Haematological Indices in Albino Rats Fed With Cholesterol-Rich Diet

Abstract

The LD50 and the effect of the aqueous fruit extract of Solanum macrocarpum Linn. on haematological parameters in albino rats
fed with cholesterol-rich diet was studied. The intraperitoneal (i.p.) LD50 with 95% confidence interval of the aqueous fruit extract was estimated to be 1,280 mg/kg, indicating that the extract is not toxic. Graded doses (25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg body weight) of the extract were administered i.p. to different groups of hypercholesterolaemic rats for 7 days. Significant dosedependent increases (p < 0.05) in the levels of haemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte count (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and white blood cell count (WBC) were observed. However, the changes in the mean cell volume (MCV) were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The decrease in mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) was significant (p < 0.05). Serum total cholesterol was lowered with increasing dose of the extract though not significantly (p > 0.05). The fruit
of Solanum macrocarpum contains some important chemical components which have therapeutic values. The aqueous fruit extract of Solanum macrocarpum appears to have some beneficial effect on haematological parameters of hypercholesterolaemic rats (RBC, Hb, PCV and MCHC) suggesting that it could be used as an anti-anaemic agent.

Key words: Solanum macrocarpum, median lethal dose (LD50), haematological indices, medicinal, total cholesterol