Effects of <i>Hibiscus Sabdariffa</i> on the Heamostatic and heamatological Profiles of Albino rats

Abstract

The potential haematological effects associated with the administration of water leaf extract of Hibiscus sadariffa was investigated in rats. Results showed that Hibiscus sabdariffa decrease haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, white blood cell count and platelet count without having any haemostatic effect on bleeding time, clotting time, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time. Furthermore, the intraperitoneal injection of the
extract into the animals showed no effect on the bleeding time and clotting time. The combined effect of the extract and calcium channel blocker (Nifedipine 10mg/kg) on prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time showed that these haemostatic parameters were prolonged. This could be due
to little calcium and absence of alkaloids (precipitating coagulation agent) in the plant, the plant does not contain haemostatic agent that could cause
coagulation.

Key words: Hibiscus sabdariffa, Albino rats Haemostasis, white blood cell.