Haematological and Biochemical Changes in Aqueous Leaf Extract of Justicia carnea Treated Male Wistar Rats Exposed to Lead Acetate

Aim: To evaluate the effect of oral administrattion of the leaf extract of Justicia carnea on some haematological and biochemical parameters in rats.

Study Design: It was a laboratory and experimental animal based study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out In Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Methodology: Forty (40) male Wistar rats were obtained and randomly distributed into eight (8) groups of 5 rats each as follows: Group 1 served as negative control/received 1ml of distilled water daily; Group 2 served as positive control/treated with 10mg/kg.bw of lead acetate (Pb); Groups 3 to 5 received 400, 600 and 800mg/kg body weight of aqueous leaf extract of Justicia carnea (ALEJC) respectively daily and Groups 6 to 8 received 400, 600 and 800mg/kg bw ALEJC + 10mg/kg.bw Pb respectively daily. After all treatments, blood samples were harvested from the study animals via cardiac puncture Data were statistically analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Statistical significance was determined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Post-Hoc multiple comparison test and p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The result of the present study indicated significant (p<0.05) increases in the levels of RBC, Hb, PCV, WBC and platelets in the 2 sets of rats when compared to those of groups 1 and 2. The amount of total/conjugated bilirubin were also seen to be markedly (p<0.05) raised in all ALEJC treated rats. The levels of liver enzymes were significantly (p<0.05) and beneficially regulated by ALEJC treatment compared to that of the group 2.

Conclusion: Therefore, the plant extract may be a biologically helpful and antianaemic candidate but the arbitrary use of the ALEHC must be checked in order to prevent undesirable effects.