Sub-Chronic Safety Assessment on the Use of Solanum aethiopicum (L.) Leaf Extract as Blood Booster in Male Wistar Rats

Aim: The effect of Solanum aethiopicum (SA) on the haematological indices of Wistar rats was investigated in this study. Methodology: A total of 20 male Wistar rats with an average 172.45±0.15 g were distributed into four groups (A – D) and allowed to acclimatize for two weeks. Group A served as the control, while groups B, C, and D were given aqueous extracts of SA at doses of 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, and 225 mg/kg per body weight, respectively, every 48 hours for 30 days. After the exposure period, a final evaluation and sacrifice of the rats was performed. Blood sample collection was carried for full blood count and blood film preparation. Results: The result of this study showed that leaf extract of Solanum aethiopicum caused a significant increase in white blood cells (18.18±0.78 - 27.08±2.68 x 103/μl), especially lymphocytes (13.58±2.48 - 30.95±4.65 x 103/μl) in group of rats when compared to control. On the contrary, there was a non-significant reduction in red blood cells (7.78±0.04 - 7.19±0.45 x 106/μl), hemoglobin (16.92±0.62 - 14.55±0.95 g/dl), haematocrit (41.49±0.29 - 38.38±1.68 %), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (21.71±0.91 - 20.30±0.10 ρg) when compared to the control. Platelet (451.25±87.25 - 724.75±249.25 x 103/μl) and Plateletcrit (0.36±0.07 - 0.50±0.17 %) was significantly higher in treated group, while mean platelet volume (8.21±0.31 - 6.98±0.07 μm3) and platelet distribution width (18.68±1.38 - 15.93±0.73 %) was low when compared with control. Conclusion: The current study has demonstrated that the leaves of Solanum aethiopicum may be safe to consume in regulated amount, as it has been shown to boost blood indices. These plant extracts may be utilized as a blood promoting potentials as it has been shown to strengthens the body's immune system particularly cell-mediated immunity, have no hemotoxic impact on the red blood cell and its indices and improve the ability for the body to repair itself as seen from the platelet count and its indices.