Haematological effects of aqueous extract of <i>Hibiscus Sabdariffa<.i> petals in rats

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa petals on some haematological parameters. The extract was administered orally in doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5mg/kg body weight to normal Wistar rats for 21 days. The results showed that the extract decreased significantly (p < 0.05) red blood cell count, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration and platelet count. However, white blood cell count, percentage neutrophils, and percentage lymphocytes were not significantly affected (p > 0.05). Therefore, the results suggest that the consumption of the aqueous extract of H.sadbariffa may lead to some level of anaemia, despite its beneficial effects.

Keywords: Hibiscus sabdariffa, haematological parameters, anaemia

The Tropical Journal of Health Sciences Vol. 12(1) 2005: 44-45