Effect of Methanolic Extract of Chrysophyllum albidum Bark on Hematological Indices in Mice with Experimental Hemorrhagic Anemia

Chrysophyllum albidum is a common plant in the tropical Central, East and West Africa region.Its fruits are widely consumed and plant parts are vastly utilized. The broad utilization and consumption of this plant parts make it pertinent to examine its effect on blood parameters. This study was therefore designed to investigate the effect of methanolic extract of Chrysophyllum albidum on haematological indices in mice. Seventy five Swiss albino male mice (19g – 22g) were used for this study. 45 of which were anaesthetized with diethyl ether and 0.25mls (40%) of their blood drained through the retro-orbital plexus. Haemoglobin concentration (Hb) was determined 24hours after. Animals with Hb of 11.12 g/dl were considered anaemic and randomly divided into five groups of fifteen animals. Group1 - control animals (Nor), Group 2 - animals treated with 1000mg/kg b.w of Chrysophyllum albidumalone (MeCaB), Group 3- animals bled and treated with ferrous sulphate (BHaem), Group 4 - animals bled and treated with MeCaB (BMeCaB) and Group 5 animals were bled and untreated (Bla). Complete blood count was done using standard methods on days 3 and 7.The body weight of BMeCaB group showed significant (p 0.05) increase compared with control and Bla. The BMeCaB group showed significant increase (p 0.05) in RBC and Packed Cell Volume within 48 hours of treatment and up to day 7 compared with Bla and BHaem. There was significant decrease (p 0.05) in the Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio of BMeCaB and MeCaB compared with Bla.This study established the haematinic potentials of Chrysophyllum albidum.