Effects of methanolic curry leaf extracts (Ocimum irvinei) on the haematological parameters of Wistar rats

Abstract

This study was set to evaluate the effect of administration of the methanolic extract of Ocimum Irvinei leaf on the haematological parameters of both male and female wistar rats. Previous reports have shown that this plant species is a good medicinal plant which has been used since antiquity for various ailments and also has a rich embodiment of nutritional and phytochemical constituents. Its application is mostly seen as a spice in most of dishes due to its flavouring. The haematological parameters analysed were Haemoglobin (HGB), Platelet Distribution Width (PDW), Platelet Large Cell Ratio (P-LCR), Procalcitonin Test (PCT), Haematocrit (HCT), Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Red Blood Cell Count (RBC), Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW), and White Blood Cell Count (WBC) with Mindray BC-2800 Auto Haematology Analyser. Result obtained from the study showed that there was very little difference in the haematological parameters across groups and between both sexes. This infers that administration of the leaf extract of O. irvineihas little or no pronounced effect on the blood cells. Since there was very little change observed in the results of the test subjects, it is recommended that this study should be carried out for a longer period of time (a year or more) to stand the chance of getting more pronounced results. When compared with the Rat Reference Range shown in chapter one, there were several notable differences between the results and the normal range; while some where relatively higher or lower, some were well within the range.