Hannah Esosa NWAIWU

This study investigated the effects of 28-day oral administration of the aqueous leaf extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum on haematological parameters in wistar rats. The plant which is widely used in West African traditional medicine, is known for its therapeutic benefits, yet its prolonged safety on blood indices remains scarcely explored. Twenty-four male wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups: a control group and three treatment groups receiving 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg of the extract, respectively. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were analyzed for red and white blood cell indices, as well as platelet parameters, using standard hematological techniques. The results revealed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in total white blood cell, monocyte, and granulocyte counts at the lowest dose (250 mg/kg), while higher doses maintained values comparable to the control. Red blood cell indices—including haemoglobin, packed cell volume, and mean corpuscular volume—remained within normal physiological limits, suggesting no adverse effect on erythropoiesis. Platelet counts were greatly unaffected, though a temporary decrease in plateletcrit and platelet distribution width was observed at low dose. Overall, the extract did not produce any clinically significant haematotoxic effect but demonstrated mild dose-dependent immunomodulatory influence. These findings suggest that aqueous extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum is relatively
safe on haematological profiles within the tested range, supporting its traditional use while emphasizing the need for dose regulation in prolonged administration.