Effect of Ficus capensis Ethanol Extract on Haematological and Biochemical Markers in Male Wistar Rats

 

Igwe K.K.,Udeh N.E.,Madubuike A.J.,Achi N.K., Egwu L.U., Ifenkwe D.C., Mkpado C.J.
 

Full Length Research Paper I Published September, 2019

 

Journal of Medical and Biological Science Research Vol. 5 (2), pp. 10-15.

 

ABSTRACT

The leaves of Ficus capensis plant was screened for hematological, safety and serum enzyme activities in male albino Wistar rats. Fifteen rats were used for the study, they were grouped into five groups of 3 rats each. Group 1 was the negative control group and received dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). Groups 2, 3, and 4 were the treatment groups received 500, 600 and 800 mg/kg body weight of the F. capensis extract, respectively. Group 5 was the positive control group which received anaemic drug, cyclophosphamide. The rats were dosed for 14 days, thereafter was sacrificed and blood collected by cardiac puncture for analysis. All results in treatment groups were compared with the negative control at statistical confidence of 95% (p<0.05). The positive control was used as guide to compare the established anaemic condition. Haematological parameters, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), Haemoglobin, total leukocyte count, decreased significantly (p<0.05) as the dose of the extract increased from 500 to 800 mg/kg body weight. Differential leukocyte count indicated neutrophilia by statistical increase of neutrophils at (p<0.05), and lymphopeania by statistical decrease of lymphocytes at (p<0.05). Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) increased indicating macrocytic anaemia and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was normal indicating normochromic anaemia. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Albumin, Globulin and Total protein (TP) increased as dose of F. capencis extract increased. There was an effect of F. capensis extract on haematological and biochemical indices which indicated neutrophilia, lymphopeania, macrocytic normochromic anaemia and mild haematological and tissue damage at highest dose.

Key words: Safety, Serum enzyme, Ficus capensis, Haematology, Cyclophosphamide.

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