DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2023.v11i07.021

Pages: 1323-1330

The Jatropha tanjorensis plant is a vegetable commonly consumed in Southern Nigeria for its purported blood tonic properties. This study aimed to evaluate the hematological effects of the ethanolic leaf extract of J. tanjorensis on prepubertal male albino Wistar rats over a 28-day period. The experimental animals were divided into four groups: a control group receiving distilled water, a low-dose group receiving 111.803mg/kg body weight of extract, a medium-dose group receiving 223.606mg/kg body weight of extract, and a high-dose group receiving 335.409mg/kg body weight of extract. The results showed that the extract caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, and neutrophils compared to the control group. The values for lymphocytes were not significantly different (P>0.05) in the medium and high dose groups compared to the control group, but a slight increase (P<0.05) was observed in the low-dose group. Furthermore, the monocyte count was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the low-dose group compared to the control group, while a significant increase (P<0.05) was observed in the medium and high dose groups compared to the low-dose group. Platelet values showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the medium-dose group compared to the low-dose group, and a significant increase (P<0.05) was observed in the high-dose group compared to both the low and medium-dose groups. These findings suggest that prolonged consumption of J. tanjorensis may be toxic, as evidenced by negative changes in the hematological indices of the experimental animals.