METHANOL EXTRACT OF Vitex doniana (BLACK PLUM) STEM BARK MODULATES HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS, LIPID PROFILE AND RENAL INDICES IN CASTOR-OIL INDUCED DIARRHOEAL WISTAR RAT

Abstract

Blood analysis helps in the assessment of pathological status of animals exposed to xenobiotics and different environmental situations. Hematological parameters are associated with animal wellbeing and are of diagnostic significance in routine health status and clinical evaluation. This study was to assess the influence of methanol extract of Vitex doniana stem bark on hematological parameters, lipid profile and renal indices in diarrheic wistar rats. Twenty-five albino rats of average body weight 156 ± 4.61 g were randomly divided into five groups of five rats each. Group I was orally administered 2mL of normal saline as control, while group II, III, IV and V were orally administered 2.5mg/kg body weight (bw) loperamide, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight of methanol extract of Vitex doniana stem bark respectively. Diarrhoea was induced into the animals by single oral administration of 2 mL castor oil one hour after extract administration to the animals. The results showed that there were significant (p < 0.05) increase in red blood cell (RBC), Hemoglobin (HB) and white blood cell (WBC) count in rats administered with plant extract compared to the control. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in platelet concentration was observed in rats administered with plant extract compared to the control. There were significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum total cholesterol, HDL and LDL in rats administered with plant extract compared to the control. For serum triglycerides, significant (p < 0.05) increase was observed only in rats administered with 400 mg/kg bw of plant extract when compared with the control. The results for renal function tests showed that administration of the extract significantly (p < 0.05) increased in serum creatinine and urea. Also, significant (p < 0.05) increase in the concentration of serum sodium and chloride ions was observed in animals administered with 100 and 400 mg/kg bw when compared to the control group. However, a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the concentration of serum potassium was noticed. Conclusively, methanol extract of Vitex doniana stem bark positively affect hematological parameters, lipid profile and renal indices in castor oil-induced diarrhea wistar rat.