ABSTRACT

The haematological effect of methanol extract of Acanthus montanus in wistar albino rats were evaluated. In this study, A total of 18 female wistar rats were used and acclimatised for a period oftwo weeks during which vital finisher and water were administered ad libitum, the experimental rats were grouped into three groups. GroupA was normal control group and was fed with rat feed and water ad libitum. GroupB was the standard drug group and GroupC was the plant extract group (400mg/kg BW). The experiment lasted for a period of 21 days after which the animals were sacrificed via carvical dislocation and blood collection via cardial puncture. The blood was analysed for haematological parameters (Red blood cell, The total white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin and packed cell volume). The result showed a non significant (P>0.05) increase in packed cell volume ofA. montanus treated group with mean value (45.25±1.26) when compared to the standard drug (44.50±1.00) and the normal control with mean value (44.17±1.72), a non significant (P>0.05) increase in haemoglobin of A. montanus treated group with mean value (17.20±0.82) when compared to the standard drug (13.90±0.36) and the normal control with mean value (13.87±3.14), a significant (P<0.05) increase in red blood cell ofA. montanus treated group with mean value (34.00±2.83) when compared to the standard drug (11.75±1.50) and the normal control with mean value (22.67±8.24), a significant increase (P<0.05) of total white blood cell count ofA. montanus treated group with mean value (19.83±1.60) when compared to the standard drug (15.25±0.96) and the normal control with mean value (19.83±1.60) and lastly a significant increase (P<0.05) ofA. Montanus treated group with mean value (54.25±2.63) when compared to the standard drug (24.75±1.50) and the normal control with mean value (52.17±1.94). This study therefore indicated that A. montanus extract has some potent haematological effect and is therefore recommended that further research is required to identify its mechanism(s) of action as well as its effect on other haematological markers.