Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Acalypha wilkesiana on Hematological Parameters in Male Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Acalypha wilkesiana on hematological parameters in male wistar rats. Study Design: In_vivo. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Nigeria, between August 2011 and October 2011. Methodology: Thirty two male wistar rats of average body weights 167.50g were grouped into four (I-IV), of eight rats each. Group I received distilled water (control), while constituted doses of 2500, 5000 and 10000 mg/kg body weight of the extract were administered once daily for 14 days to animals in group II, III and IV respectively. The effect of administration of this extract on hematological parameters was evaluated. Results: Results showed that the extract did not exhibit any significant effect (P>0.05) on packed cell volume, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocytes, platelets, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate at all the administered doses of the extract. There was a significant reduction in mean corpuscular volume at all doses of the administered extract when compared with the control. Conclusion: The extract may be considered relatively hematotoxic at a dose of 2500 mg/kg due to its potentials to cause the formation of microcytic RBC’s.