DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2021.v09i10.026

Pages: 1629-1636

Background of study: Earth ball (Icacinia manni), a tuberous plant has found its application in the preparation of animal and bird feeds. Unfortunately there are conflicting information on its hematological effects when consumed by animals. So we decided to independently verify this and the possible effect of vitamin C on any haematological derangement since an earlier study suggests its reproductive toxicity could be due to oxidative stress. Methodology: Twenty male wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 was control, group 2 the low dose Icacinia manni, group 3 the high dose Icacinia manni while group 4 was the high dose Icacinia manni + vitamin C groups. All rats had access to potable water and rat feeds ad libitum. At the end of the treatment period (28 days) animals were anaesthesized and blood collected for evaluation of hematological indices Results: Our results showed a significantly increased hemoglobin concentration in the high dose group compared with each of control, low dose and high dose + vitamin C groups (P<0.05 in each case). Red blood cell count was significantly higher in the high dose extract-treated (P<0.05) and high dose extract-treated + vitamin C (P<0.05) groups compared with control. Hematocrit level was significantly increased in the high dose group compared with control (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, red cell distribution width, platelet count, total white blood cell count, neutrophil count and lymphocytes count. Monocyte count in all Icacinia manni treated groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05 each) compared with control. Eosinophil count was significantly decreased in high extract treated group compared with control (P<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, extract of high dose Icacinia manni tuber has negative and in other cases positive effects on some hematological indices, ......