Effect of ethanolic extract of Dennettia tripetala fruit on haematological parameters in albino Wistar rats.

The effect of oral administration of ethanolic extract of Dennettia tripetala fruits on haematological parameters in albino Wistar rats was investigated. Lethality studies revealed that the extract had an LD50 value of 251.19mg/kg mice intraperitoneal. Fifteen (15) male albino wistar rats weighing between 150 - 200g were used for the study and randomly assigned into three study groups of five animals each. The group 1 control received via oral route a placebo (4ml of normal saline), while test groups 2 and 3 received 85mg/kg body weight and 170mg/kg body weight of D. tripetala extract in 2.0ml and 4.0ml of the vehicle (normal saline) via oral route respectively. The administration of ethanolic extract of D. tripetala for 14 days produced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in RBC and WBC counts in group 2 versus group 1 (control) but the decrease in RBC and WBC counts in group 3 were not significant compared to group 1. There was no significant difference in PCV and haemoglobin levels in groups 2 and 3 compared to control. The differential WBC results showed a significant increase (P < 0.001) in neutrophil count in group 2 versus group 1. While neutrophil count in group 3 was significantly decreased (P <0.001) compared to group 1. There was a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in eosinophil count in groups 2 and 3 when compared to the control group. From the results, there was a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in lymphocyte count in group 2 while a significant increase (P <0.01) in lymphocyte count was observed in group 3 when compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in basophils and monocytes counts in groups 2 and 3 compared to the control group. The study shows that D. tripetala extract, given at moderate to high doses may have hematotoxic effect, but the effect was worse with moderate doses.