Evaluation of Root Extract of Acacia nilotica on Haematological and Lipid Profile in Rats

Aim: Acacia nilotica root has been used for different medicinal purposes wherever the plant is found in Nigeria. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Acacia nilotica aqueous root extract on hematological parameters and lipid profile in rats.

Place and Duration of Study: Research work carried out by the author in the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Abuja and department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Abuja between June and December 2015.

Methods: Forty eight Wistar rats (180.00 ± 20 g) separated into 24 females and 24 males, were randomly divided into four groups of six rats per group. Group 1, served as the control and received 10 ml/kg body weight of distilled water, while rats in groups 2, 3 and 4 received extract at 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight orally, respectively for 28 days. Blood was collected via cardiac puncture on day 29 (after the rats were sacrificed) into EDTA bottles (haematology profile) and plain bottles (lipid profile). Phytochemical screening and acute toxicity were also carried out.

Results: The extract at 500 mg/kg body weight, produced significant increase in red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) compared to the control in male rats. In female rats, the dose of 250 mg/kg b.wt of the extract produced significant increase in Hb and PCV. There was significant decrease in total cholesterol and triglycerides at 500 mg/kg b.wt in both male and female rats.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that aqueous root extract of Acacia nilotica can be used to correct anaemia by increasing PCV and also prevent hypercholesterolemia by reducing serum cholesterol.