The Effect of Crude Methanolic Leaf Extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum on Some Haematological Parameters in Wistar Rats

Bryophyllum pinnatum (B. pinnatum) is a perennial herb growing widely and used in folkloric medicine. Much research work has not been carried out on its effect on hematological parameters. We therefore decided to investigate the effect of crude methanolic leaf extract of B. pinnatum on some hematological parameters in Wistar rats. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats aged 2 to 3 months obtained from the Animal House of College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus were acclimatized for two weeks. They were divided into five groups labeled A to E. Groups A to D were orally fed with graded doses of the crude leaf extract (100, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight respectively) once daily for 28days in lower concentrations compared to an oral LD 50 of 800 mg/kg body weight. Group E served as control without receiving the extract. On Day 29 about 2.5mL of blood sample were collected from each rat through the median canthus into K3-EDTA anticoagulant containers for hemoglobin (Hb), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Total White Blood Cell (TWBC), and Platelet count. The results revealed significantly increased Hb in all the treated groups, A=15.9±1.0, B = 16.8±1.0, C = 17.5±1.0 and D = 18.7±1.0 g/dL when compared with control E = 13.5±0.5 g/dL (p<0.05). The PCV of the treated groups were also significantly increased, A = 0.48±0.01, B = 0.51±0.01, C = 0.53±0.01 and D = 0.56±0.01 L/L when compared with control E = 0.38±0.01 L/L (p<0.05). The TWBC were significantly increased in all the treated groups (A = 6.2±1.0, B = 6.5±1.0, C = 7.1±1.0 and D = 7.7±1.0×10/L when compared with control E = 4.0±1.0×10/L. The platelet count were decreased in all the treated groups but was significant only in group A = 135±13×10/L when compared with control E = 225±20×10/L (p<0.05). The blood film examination revealed normocytic and normochromic red blood cells. This result pattern suggests that crude methanolic leaf extract of B. pinnatum may have properties that increase the Hb, PCV and TWBC, while decreasing the platelets, hence care should be taken while consuming such extracts to avoid haematological disturbances such as thrombocytopaenia. Also, constant monitoring the hematological parameters should be ensured in subjects taking such medicinal herbs for whatever purposes.