Phytochemistry and some haematological changes following oral administration of ethanolic root extract of Gongronema latifolium in rats.

Gongronema latifolium is a climbing perennial plant that belongs to the family of asclepidaceae. The medicinal uses of the leaves and stem bark extract of Gongronema latifolium has been reported in many scientific literatures to include anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-ulcerative etc. There is paucity in scientific reports on the medicinal properties of the root extract. This study was therefore designed to elucidate the phytochemical constituents and effect of ethanolic root extract of Gongronema latifolium on some hematological parameters. Eighteen (18) albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups of 6 rats each. Group 1 [control] was fed on normal rat chow, the test groups [group 2 and 3] in addition received extract treatment [p.o] at a dose of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg respectively. The feeding regimens lasted for 14 days and all animals had access to tap water. Results show that the extract contains polyphenols, glycosides, reducing sugars and alkaloids. The mean RBC count for control was 4.44+/-0.15x10(6)cells/mm3, this did not differ significantly from the test groups. The total WBC counts were 3.79+/-0.15x10(3) cells/mm3, 3.37+/-0.19x10(3)cells/mm3 and 5.54+/-0.39x10(3)cells/mm3 for groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively. WBC was significantly [P<0.01] higher in the high dose [group 3] compared with control. Mean PCV [%] were 33.60+/-0.81, 37.20+/-0.80 and 34.80+/-1.35 for groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The PCV was significantly [P<0.05) higher in low dose extract recipients [group 2] than in control. Hb content, MCV and MCH did not differ significantly among the groups, but MCHC was significantly lower in the test groups compared with control group. Neutrophils were significantly [P<0.001] reduced in the test groups, while the eosinophils and monocytes count were significantly increased in the test groups than in controls. In conclusion, the extract has little or no effect on RBC count, PCV, MCV and MCH. But low doses of the extract significantly increased the Hb count while high doses significantly increased WBC count, probably due to increase in eosinophil and monocyte counts. MCHC was dose-dependently reduced. The extract was also observed to contain polyphenols, alkaloids, glycosides and reducing sugars.