Abstract
Mucuna sloanei is a legume used as a soup thickener by communities in some parts of Africa countries. The effect of aqueous seed extract of M. sloanei on the haematological profile of normal albino rats was investigated for 28 days using standard methods. The results show no overall dose dependent significant difference (p > 0.05) in the serum levels of the white blood cell count, red blood cell count and its indices (haemoglobin content, pack cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration) of the rats throughout the duration of the experiment when compared with the control. However, a dose independent significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the white blood cell level was observed in week 3, while the decrease observed in the remaining week was not significant. The effects of the interaction between the doses and duration of treatment were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) in all the haematological parameters tested. These findings suggest that consumption of the crude seed extracts of M. sloanei may not constitute any adverse effect on the haematological indices of the consumers. However, the significant reduction in white blood cell levels observed in week 3 could compromise the body’s immunity and may predispose consumers to opportunistic and supra-infections in the long run. Key word: Mucuna sloanei seed, aqueous extract, haematological parameters, albino rats.
Highlights
Several forest resources have been domesticated and today they are contributing in feeding the world‟s teeming population especially in the developing world
The results show no overall dose dependent significant difference (p > 0.05) in the serum levels of the white blood cell count, red blood cell count and its indices of the rats throughout the duration of the experiment when compared with the control
The effects of the interaction between the doses and duration of treatment were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) in all the haematological parameters tested. These findings suggest that consumption of the crude seed extracts of M. sloanei may not constitute any adverse effect on the haematological indices of the consumers
Summary
Several forest resources have been domesticated and today they are contributing in feeding the world‟s teeming population especially in the developing world. An annual leguminous climber commonly called the “horse eye” or “hamburger” bean is one of such important legumes and is widely used among the various ethnic groups resident in Nigeria. M. sloanei seeds contain high protein, carbohydrate, crude fat and fiber contents (Akpata and Miachi, 2001) as well as a very rich amino acid profile (Ojiako et al, 2012). These constituents potentiate the seeds as a nutritious source of meal with high water binding capacity arising from the formation of hydrogen bonds between water and polar residues of the protein molecules (Obochi et al, 2007). According to Ukachukwu and Obioha (1997), several rural populations of Nigeria, fall back on seeds of M. sloanei as soup thickeners during famine and scarcity of alternative soup thickeners such as melon
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