EVALUATION OF THE AMELIORATIVE EFFECT OF THE CRUDE METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF BALANITES AEGYPTIACA ON SOME HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN WISTAR RATS EXPOSED TO CHLORPYRIFOS

Abstract

Acute toxicity study and phytochemical screening on Balanites aegyptiaca as well as the effect of Balanites aegyptiaca on some haematological parameters in wistar rats were investigated. Following extraction, stock solution of the extract at concentration of 1 g/mL was prepared and stored at 4 ºC for pharmacological test. Phytochemical screening test and acute toxicity study were carried. Thirty wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of five rats each. Rats in group I were neither treated nor exposed to chlorpyrifos. Rats in groups II to VI were exposed to chlorpyrifos at 2 mg/kg daily. Rats in groups; II, III and IV were treated with the extract at doses; 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg respectively. Rats in group V were treated with ascorbic acid (150 mg/kg). Rats in group VI were administered normal saline. All treatments were through oral route and for 7 consecutive days. Seven days after, all rats were humanely euthanized by severing their jugular vein, and 5 mL of blood sample was collected from each rat and transferred into EDTA container for haematology. The results of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, anthraquinones and steroids. Geometric mean of 3807.9 mg/kg was calculated from the results of LD50. There were significant (P< 0.05) improvement in the mean values of haematological parameters (PCV, RBC count and Hb concentration) in a dose dependent manner in groups; II, III and IV. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was recorded in the mean values of haematological parameters between rats in group IV and V. Conversely, there was a significant (P< 0.05) decrease in the mean values of haematological parameters in group VI when compared with II, III, IV and V. Thus, methanolic leaf extract of Balanites aegyptiaca contained bioactive compounds that improved haematological parameters in wistar rats exposed to chlorpyrifos