Assessment of the Hematopoietic Potential of Telfairia occidentalis Leaf Extract of on Male Wistar Rats

Aims: This study assess the haematopeotic potentials of Telfairia occidentalis (TO) leaf extract on male wistar rat.

Methodology: A total of 20 wistar rats randomly distributed into four groups A to D were acclimatized for two weeks; group A served as control, while groups B C and D were gavaged 100 mg/kg b/w (UGU 1), 150 mg/kg b/w (UGU 2), 250 mg/kg b/w (UGU 3) of aqueous extract of TO respectively, once every 48 hours for 30 consecutive days. After the exposure period, the surviving rats were examined and sacrificed. Blood samples were collected for full blood count and blood film preparation.

Results: The result of the study showed that TO casued an increase in white blood cell count (17.50±0.10 - 25.48±1.28 ×109cells/L), lymphocyte (2.45±1.35 - 15.86±2.66 ×109cells/L), mid-sized cell (3.38±0.42 – 4.61±0.60 ×109cells/L) and granulocyte (1.67±0.80 – 5.11±0.80 ×109cells/L) when compared to the Control. There was equally an increase in the platelet count (420.50±56.50 - 810.95±43.05× 109 cells/L) and platetocrit (0.33±0.05 – 0.58±0.03 ×109cells/L) when compared to the Control. However, there was a reduction in the red blood count (7.76.±0.06 - 6.28±0.25 ×109cells/L), haemoglobin (16.67±0.37 – 12.18±0.58 ×109cells/L) and hematocrit (41.47±0.27 – 33.55±1.25 ×109cells/L) of rats in treated group), (6.92±0.34 ×109cells/L) and when compared with the Control.

Conclusion: This present study have validated the haematopeotic potential of Telfairia occidentalis leaf extract as it improved the haematological parameters of male wistar rats. The antioxidants exerted a multitude of beneficial effect on cellular functions of both innate and adaptive immune system.