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ABSTRACT
Anaemia is deficiency of red blood cells and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration below 10g/dl. Medicinal plants have been used for decades before the discovery of orthodox medicine for treatment of many ailments. Chromolaena odorata belongs to the family asteridae and the phytochemical analysis of the extract showed that the plant contained tannins, alkaloid, flavonoids and other phenolic compounds. It has been reported that Chromolaena odorata leaf increases RBC count and helps to cure anaemic conditions. Thus this study was aimed at investigating the properties which help in curing anaemia of Chromolaena odorata extract on wistar rats. Thirty (30) wistar rats were used for the study. Six (6) rats were assigned as control group (Group A) while the other twenty-four (24) rats were randomly placed into four (4) treatment groups (n=6). Aqueous extract of Chromolaena odorata, phenyl hydrazine (PHZ) and erythropoietin was administered orally across all groups.Group B, C and D animals were administered with 10mg/kg of PHZ after which Group C animals were then treated with 200mg/kg of Chromolaena odorata extract. Group D animals were also treated with 10mg/kg of erythropoietin. Group E animals were administered with 200mg/kg of Chromolaena odorata extract only. At the end of the experimental period which lasted for 30 days, the rats were anesthetized using chloroform and sacrificed. 5mls of blood was collected foranalysis and the hematological parameters were determined. The results showed there was a significant reduction (P <0.05) in RBC count, hemoglobin and PCV in group B rats (rats treated with PHZ only) when compared with the control (group A) further establishing the anaemic inducing potential of PHZ. The result also showed there was a significant increase (P<0.05) In RBC, Hb and PCV in anaemic rats treated with Chromolaena odorata (group C) and erythropoietin (group D) when compared to rats that received PHZ only (group B). The results obtained from this study suggest that the administration of aqueous extract of Chromolaena odorata leaf have great potential in curing anaemia.
