Haematological Changes in Administration of Chrysophyllum albidu Stem Extract to Wistar Rats

In medical practice, examination of blood for the presence of metabolites and other constituents is vital to the prediction of the physiological, nutritional and pathological status of any individual prior to prognosis. This study investigated the effect of crude n-hexane stem extract of Chrysophyllum albidum on packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin count in Albino Wistar rats. Twenty (20) Wistar rats of between 220-150g were procured and housed in well-ventilated animal House of 28 ± 2ºC, relative humidity 60-70%, for a 12hrs (light/dark cycle) duration of two weeks. They were then grouped into four (4) of five (5) rats per group. With group 1 rats fed with standard rat diet ad libitum (Control group), groups 2 - 4 were respectively fed with 200mg/kg, 300mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weights of Chrysophyllum albidum Extract. After 14 days of administration of test substance, rats were sacrificed, blood samples obtained and analysed for hematologic changes. Study found a statistically significant decrease in PCV and haemoglobin levels for group IV (high dose treated) when compared with other groups. Also, low dose treated group showed an increase in PCV values upon comparison. Study therefore (using analysis of variance, ANOVA at p < .05) established a dose-dependent change in most assayed haematological parameters. Similar but wider study on the effect of Chrysophyllum albidum on other systems is recommended.