Efficacy of Garcinia kola Seed Ethanolic Extract on Haematological Parameters in Male Wistar Rats

The efficacy of Garcinia kola seed ethanolic extract on selected haematological parameters of male Wistar rats was investigated. Thirty (30) male Wistar rats weighing 150.42±3.98 g were divided into three groups (I, II and III) comprising ten animals each. Animals in group I (control) received 0.5 ml of distilled water while those in groups II and III were administered 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively once daily for 21 days. After 21 days of extract administration, 5 rats from each group were sacrificed. Same was done after 42 days. Preliminary phytochemical screening of ethanolic extract of Garcinia kola seed revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates, steroids and flavonoids. The lethal dose (LD50) of the extract was found to be safe up to 5000 mg/kg body weight. The extract significantly (p<0.05) increased the red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet count and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in the plasma of the animals. The extract significantly (p<0.05) decreased the mean cell volume (MCV) and mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) in the plasma of the animals. Therefore, the ethanolic extract of Garcinia kola seed through its antioxidant property showed hematopoietic, stimulating and enhancing effects.