INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA SEED ON BLEEDING TIME AND WHOLE BLOOD CLOTTING TIME OF WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Background: It is estimated that over 80% of people still depend mainly on the traditional use of parts of plants and herbs to treat ailments. The medicinal properties of these plants and herbs are linked to the presence of a variety of phytochemicals and their elemental composition. Justification: Every year, 1 in 4 people die of conditions related to thrombosis, with many never knowing their risk for the condition. Prevention of intravascular thrombosis, however, has a narrow therapeutic window, bleeding risk, the incidence of resistance, and unwanted drug interactions, hence the need for anti-thrombotic drugs that deliver more effective prevention of intravascular thrombosis. Aim: The research sought to investigate the effect of Moringaoleifera ethanolic seed extract on Bleeding Time (BT) and Clotting Time (CT), in Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods: Forty (40)Wistar rats were weighed and randomly divided into two groups, group I=15 rats for BT, group II=15 rats for CT and 10 rats for control tests. After the administration of ethanolic extract of M. oleifera seed at the dose of 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg (administered to a group of 5 rats per dose) for 28 days, BT and CT were determined using Tail transection and Lee & White method respectively. The data were analysed using GraphPadPrism (7.03). Result: There was a statistically significant increase at P <0.0001 of BT and CT compared to the control (administered with only distilled water). Conclusion: The prolonged BT and CT indicate that the seed extract of M. oleifera could pose an antagonising effect on both the primary (platelets) and secondary haemostatic activities, a property that can be explored in the management of thrombotic diseases.