"Effects of Tetracarpiduim Conophorum (African Walnut) on Haemostasis and Body Weight of Swiss Wistar Rats"

Abstract

Effects of Tetracarpiduim Conophorum (African Walnut) on Haemostasis and Body Weight of Swiss Wistar ABSTRACT Haemostasis has been described as the process of preventing or stopping bleeding and as well the tendency to moderate blood in terms of forming clots. This study was designed to investigate haemostatic activity of Tetracarpiduim conophorum , (African Walnut) extracted lectin. Wistar Rats (n=35) with 6-8 weeks aged rats weighing from 78g-129g, were purchased and kept for the study in Federal University Lokoja animal house. The wistar rats were grouped into O, P, Q, R, and S. The basal level of all rats in the groups were collected and analyzed for Platelets, Prothrombin Time (PT) and Partial Thromboplastin Time with Kaolin (PTTK) and body weight at every interval. Group O (Control-received Swan water), group P (received 30% lectin), group Q (received 50% lectin), group R (received 70% lectin) and group S (received 90% of lectin) by intra-peritoneal injection. The analysis at intervals revealed Platelet count, Prothrombin Time (PT) and Partial Thromboplastin Time with Kaolin (PTTK) with body weights based on the lectin percentages viz: 30%, 50%, 70%, 90% respectively. The body weight of experimental animal showed significant increase among different concentration P <0.005, the platelet count was significantly increased on the basis of days of exposure of P <0.05, but Prothrombin Time (PT) and Partial Thromboplastin Time with Kaolin (PTTK) did not show any significant change within the intervals of the study at P <0.05. Tetracarpidium conophorum , (African walnut) Lectin is contributory to weight gains but do not have any significant effect on haemostatic functions and parameters in Swiss wistar rats.