Haematological Profile of Rats Administered Aqueous Extract of Canavalia ensiformis (DC) Seed

Abstract

In Northern Ibie, a settlement in Auchi, Edo State, water extract of Canavalia ensiformis (DC) seed has found use in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This study investigates the haematological profile, acute toxicity and body mass changes of normal Wistar strain albino rats administered daily oral graded doses of an aqueous seed extract for a 14-day period using standardized procedures. No mortalities were recorded, suggesting relative safety up to the 600 mg/kg body weight dose. Slight non-significant decreases (p>0.05) observed in haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, total erythrocyte (RBC) count and packed cell volume (PCV) were not dose-dependent compared to normal rats; thus indicating the extract did not cause any adverse effects on the haematopoietic system of the animals at dosages 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. However, there was a 20.62% increase in leukocyte count (WBC) at the 600 mg/kg body weight dose, indicative of inflammation or toxicity and a 19.86% decrease in Hb, a 21.28% decrease in RBC and a 20.46% decrease in PCV. Thus caution at high dosing is recommended. No significant alterations (p>0.05) were observed with mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of all treated rats compared to control animals. Anthropometric data is suggestive of adequate composition of nutritive factors in Canavalia ensiformis seeds since all treated rats gained weight in a dose dependent manner. Overall, results from the preset study clearly indicate that, the aqueous extract of Canavalia ensiformis is best administered at the 400 mg/kg body weight dose for nutritional and health benefits. In addition, Canavalia ensiformis at 400 mg/kg body weight dose and above may elicit a sedative or tranquilizing effect.
Keywords: Canavalia ensformis, haematology, body mass, toxicity, albino rats