Effects of oral administration of <i>Momordica charantia</i> on haematological parameters of adult albino rats

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the haematological parameters of adult albino rats following oral administration of extract of Momordica charantia. Twenty male adult albino rats were grouped according to their body weights (270±30g). The Group A (control) group was administered orally with distilled water daily for six (6) weeks. Group B, C and D were administered orally with 125 mg, 250mg and 500mg of the extract for six (6) weeks respectively. The rats were humanely sacrificed, blood sample collected was from the heart of the rats, for haematological (red blood cell, white blood cell, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, eosinophil and neutrophils counts) analysis. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the mean of haematological parameters. It was observed that Momordica charantia elevate the white blood cell count when compared to the control group. It was also observed that the red blood cell count of the groups treated with methanolic extract of Momordica charantia showed no change in value when compared to the control group. There was increase in lymphocytes and eosinophil count across the groups treated with methanolic extract. Conclusion: The Momordica charantia has potential in elevating some of the haematological parameters of the treated adult albino rats

Keywords: Momordica charantia, haematological parameters, albino rats