EFFECTS OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Abelmoschus esculentus (Moench.) SEED ON THE HEAMATOLOGY PARAMETERS OF PARAQUAT-EXPOSED WISTAR RATS

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of methanolic extract of Abelmoschus esculentus on relative heart weight, haemoglobin concentration, white blood Cell, percentage granulocyte count, percentage Monocyte count, percentage Lymphocyte count and platelet count in the heart of paraquat-exposed Wistar rats.

Methods: Thirty healthy female Wistar rats weighing 120-150 g were randomly assigned into 6 groups of 5 rats each (Groups A, B, C, D, E and F). Rats in groups A received normal saline while groups B, C, D, E and F received a single dose of paraquat (7 mgkg-1 i.p.). Daily administration of 100 mg kg-1 and 200 mg kg-1 of the Abelmoschus esculentusseed extract were given orally to groups C& D while group E received daily oral dose of Vitamin E at 100 mg/kg or 3 weeks and group F was also left to recover for 3 weeks. Full blood count parameters were analyzed using an automated heamato-analyser. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze data, followed by Student Newman-keuls (SNK) test for multiple comparisons.

Results: Results revealed that absolute Granulocyte, Monocyte and Platelet count was significantly higher (P<0.05) in paraquat-exposed group B, while the lymphocyte count was significantly lower in paraquat-exposed group B. Platelet count was significantly lower in groups B, C, D and E. The changes observed were not significantly different in haemoglobin and white blood cell counts.

Conclusion: In conclusion, paraquat-exposure induced haematological alterations which were significantly protected by oral administration of Abelmoschus esculentus seed extract.