Effect of acalypha wilkesiana muell arg. on haematological parameters in wistar albino rats

Abstract

Leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana was administered to rats at doses of 10%, 30% and 50% for 28 days to investigate its effect on the haematological indices of rats. Haematological indices, namely Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), Red Blood Cell count (RBC), Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH), White Blood Cell Count (WBC), lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and basophils were assessed from whole blood obtained from the treated animals as well as those in the control groups. Rats in group1 were fed with 100% feed and administered CCL4, while those in groups (2, 3 and 4)were pretreated with 10%, 30%, and 50% of dried leaves of A. wilkesiana respectively. Rats in group5 were pretreated with 30% A. wilkesiana without administration of CCL4 (positive control), while rats in group6 were fed with 100% feed without CCL4 administration (general control). The results were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The CCL4 induction (0.5 ml/kg body weight in 0.5 ml olive oil intraperitoneally) on the 28th day of study caused significant increases (p< 0.05) in the levels of haematological indices (WBC and neutrophils), while levels of PCV, Hb, RBC and lymphocytes, significantly decreased (p< 0.05), when compared with the controls. Pre-treatment of rats with 10% and 30% A. wilkesiana for twenty eight (28) days resulted in significant decreases (p< 0.05) in the levels of (WBC and neutrophils),while levels of PCV, Hb, RBC and lymphocytes,significantly increased in a dose dependent manner. Rats pretreated with 50% Acalypha wilkesiana, appear to suppress the haemopoietic system and thereby causing anaemia. There was reduction in the haematological parameters Hb, PCV, RBC and lymphocytes when compared with the controls.