Haematological profile of paroxetine-induced sexually impaired male rats following oral administration of aqueous extract of Cnestis Ferruginea (Vahl Ex De Cantolle) root

Abstract

The effects of aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea (Vahl ex De Cantolle) root on haematological parameters of paroxetine-induced sexually impaired male rats were evaluated. Thirty, healthy Wistar male rats (156.24±3.22 g) were assigned into six groups (A-F), with each group comprising 5 animals. Rats in group A (control) were orally administered 0.5 ml of distilled water, once daily for 5 days, with the aid of a metal oropharyngeal cannula, while those in groups B, C, D, E and F (test groups) were treated like the animals in group A except that they were sexually impaired (10 mg/kg of paroxetine, prepared daily in Tween-80), and in addition received 0.5 ml each of distilled water, 7.14 mg/kg of PowmaxM (a reference herbal drug), 13, 26 and 52 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea root respectively. Blood cells were counted using Automated Haematologic Analyzer (Sysmex Haematology System, Model KX-21W, Kobe, Japan).

The aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea root significantly decreased (p<0.05) the levels of haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cells, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and neutrophils, whereas the levels of  white blood cells increased significantly (p<0.05). Furthermore, all the doses of the aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea root did not significantly (p<0.05) alter the levels of platelets. The results suggest that the aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea root has parameter specific haematotoxic effect and might affect the normal physiology of the blood. This systemic effect which is not clinically beneficial to the animals may render the aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea root unsafe at the doses investigated in rats. 

Keywords: Cnestis ferruginea, connaraceae, haematological parameters, paroxetine, sexual dysfunction, systemic toxicity