European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

HAEMATOLOGICAL CHANGES IN ADMINISTRATION OF AQUEOUS IPOMOEA BATATA LEAF EXTRACT TO WISTAR RATS

A. A. Aigbiremolen*, H. O. Otamere, R. I. Okoli, O. M. Odigie3 and C. P. Aloamaka

ABSTRACT

Several studies have reported the significance of potato leaf (Ipomoea Batata) on different physiological systems of the human body; most reports have shown it to be medicinal, pharmacological, and efficacious in the treatment of numerous ailments, including cardiovascular health diseases. However, little or no available record(s) relates its effect on body weights to those of haematological variables. Consequently, this study investigated the effect of Ipomoea Batata leaf aqueous extract on haematological indices of health, using albino Wistar rats as experimental model. Twenty five (25) healthy Wistar rats (male and female variants) of an average weight of between 140 – 200g were procured from the animal unit of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State. They were then acclimatized under standard conditions with constant provision of light and aeration. Following two (2) weeks of acclimatization, the animals were then randomly divided into five (5) groups of five rats each (G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5). The first group (G1, normal control), were fed with standard rat diets ad libitum, While G2 was fed daily with calculated doses of aqueous extract of sweet potato leaf per kg body weight for 2weeks. G3 and G4 were orally given (by mixing with diets, daily for two weeks) vitamin C and extract + vitamin C (Co-administration) respectively, group 5 (G5) received calculated doses of extract + vitamin E per kg body weight for 2weeks. After period of administration of test substances, the animals were sacrificed with blood samples collected (using cardiac puncture) for haematological analysis [PCV = Packed Cell Volume, Hb = Hemoglobin, TRBCC = Total Red Blood Cell Count, TWBCC = Total White Blood Cell Count, MCV = Mean Corpuscular Volume, MCH = Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin, MCHC = Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration]. Upon statistical analysis (using the student t-test), study found a statistically significant increase in all assayed haematological variables except PCV and Hb concentrations, which however slightly increased in males than the female rats.

Keywords: Ipomoea Batata, haematological indices, Wistar rats.