Evaluation of Hematological and Tissue Weight Changes Associated with Sub Acute Exposure of Rats to Telfairia occidentalis Root, Pod and Stem Extracts

Aim: The effect of twenty eight (28)-day exposure to aqueous extract of Telfairia occidentalis root, pod and stem on hematological parameters of Wistar rats was assessed in this study.

Methodology: Sixty eight (68) wistar rats were separated into 17 groups of 4 animals per group and distilled water, root, pod, and stem extracts of Telfairia occidentalis were administered at doses of 250, 750, 1500, 2250, and 3000 mg/kg body weight (bw). Test animals received extracts for 27 days, and sacrificed on the 28th day by jugular laceration under mild chloroform anesthesia. The hematological parameters were determined using standard laboratory protocol.

Results: The result showed that PCV, Hb and RBC were significantly (P<0.05) reduced when root extract was administered at 1500 mg/kg bw. The extract also caused significant (P<0.05) reduction in WBC at all dose levels, except 750 mg/kg bw. The pod extract caused significant (P<0.05) increase in the PCV, Hb, and RBC when administered at the doses of 250 mg/kg bw and 3000 mg/kg bw. The WBC increased significantly only at 2250 mg/kg bw dose administration of the pod extract, while the PLT count reduced significantly (P<0.05) at 3000 mg/kg bw pod extract. The stem extract, at different doses, significantly (P<0.05) reduced the PCV value without corresponding changes in Hb and RBC. Although insignificant (P>0.05), WBC values increased at all the administered dose levels. T. occidentalis root, pod and stem extracts caused insignificant (P>0.05) changes in the kidney, liver and heart weight of experimental animals.

Conclusion: While the root extract of T. occidentalis may possess immunomodulatory potentials and may cause anemia at higher concentration, the pod extract may have some antianemic, immune stimulatory and thrombocytopenic effect at higher concentration. Whereas the stem extract may possess antidiuretic potential, none of the extracts showed any sign of organ toxicity at the exposed doses.