Haematological and Blood Glucose Evaluation in Rats Treated with Methanolic Root Bark Extract of Chrysophyllum Albidum

Aim: This study investigated the outcome of administration of the methanolic root bark extract of Chrysophyllum albidum orally on normal blood glucose levels and haematological indices in rats. Materials and methods: Twenty adult rats were grouped into 4 groups of 5 rats each. The control group (A) was administered distilled water of 0.5 ml while the treatment groups B, C and D received 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight of methanolic root bark extract of C. albidum respectively for 21 days. Before the commencement of the experiment, blood glucose was checked for all the groups. Blood was collected at the end of the test period to analysed changes in blood glucose levels and haematological parameters. Results: The RBC, PCV, Hb, MCH, MCV, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils were not significantly (P<0.05) different in all the extract doses when compared with the control group. Furthermore, WBC, eosinophils, neutrophils and platelets counts were significantly increased (P<0.05) in all the groups treated with the extract in a dose-dependent form when compared to that of the control. Also, a significant (P<0.05) reduction in blood glucose in groups administered with 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight of the C. albidum relative to the control group was noted. However, a significant (P<0.05) increase in body weight of all groups treated with the extract when compared with the control group was also noted. Conclusion: The results suggest that methanolic root bark extract of C. albidum may be used to boost thrombopoiesis and also has hypoglycemic properties.