E.E.  Neboh, S.  Ghasi, U.I.  Nwagha, P.U.  Achukwu, S.A.  Ufelle, E.O.  Ukaejiofo, 
    The Effect of Crude Methanolic Leaf Extract of <I>Bryophyllum pinnatum</I> on Some Haematological Parameters in Wistar Rats,
    Research Journal of Pharmacology,
    Volume 5,Issue 2,
    2011,
    Pages 14-17,
    ISSN 1815-9362,
    rjpharm.2011.14.17,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjpharm.2011.14.17)
    Abstract: <I>Bryophyllum pinnatum</I>is a perennial herb growing widely 
  and used in folkloric medicine. Much research has not been carried out on its 
  effect on hematological parameters. We therefore, decided to investigate the 
  effect of crude methanolic leaf extract of <I>B. pinnatum</I> on some hematological 
  parameters in Wistar rats. Twenty male Wistar rats aged 2-3 months obtained 
  from the Animal House of College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus 
  were acclimatized for 2 weeks. They were divided into 5 groups labeled A-E. 
  Groups A-D were orally fed with graded doses of the crude leaf extract (100, 
  200, 400 and 600 mg kg<SUP>-1</SUP> b. wt., respectively) once daily for 
  28 days in lower concentrations compared to an oral LD 50 of 800 mg kg<SUP>-1</SUP> 
  b. wt. Group E served as control without receiving the extract. On day 29, about 
  2.5 mL of blood sample were collected from each rat through the median canthus 
  into K<SUB>3</SUB>-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&plusmn;1.0, 
  B = 16.8&plusmn;1.0, C = 17.5&plusmn;1.0 and D = 18.7&plusmn;1.0 g dL<SUP>-1</SUP> when compared 
  with control E = 13.5&plusmn;0.5 g dL<SUP>-1</SUP> (p&lt;0.05). The PCV of the 
  treated groups were also significantly increased, A = 0.48&plusmn;0.01, B = 0.51&plusmn;0.01, 
  C = 0.53&plusmn;0.01 and D = 0.56&plusmn;0.01 L L<SUP>-1</SUP> when compared with control 
  E = 0.38&plusmn;0.01 L L<SUP>-1</SUP> (p&lt;0.05). The TWBC were significantly 
  increased in all the treated groups (A = 6.2&plusmn;1.0, B = 6.5&plusmn;1.0, C = 7.1&plusmn;1.0 and 
  D = 7.7&plusmn;1.0x10<SUP>9</SUP> L<SUP>-1</SUP> when compared with control E 
  = 4.0&plusmn;1.0x10<SUP>9</SUP> L<SUP>-1</SUP>. The platelet count were decreased 
  in all the treated groups but was significant only in group A = 135&plusmn;13x10<SUP>9</SUP> 
  L<SUP>-1</SUP> when compared with control E = 225&plusmn;20x10<SUP>9</SUP> L<SUP>-1</SUP> 
  (p&lt;0.05). The blood film examination revealed normocytic and normochromic 
  red blood cells. This result pattern suggests that crude methanolic leaf extract 
  of <I>B. pinnatum</I> 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.
    Keywords: hematological parameters;Methanolic leaf extract;medicine;herb;Bryophyllum pinnatum;Nigeria