Abstract

The impact of methanolic root extract of Cnestis ferruginea on blood and some biochemical profiles was studied in male albino rats. Rats were treated with daily oral administration of the extract (500 mg kg^-1 bw) and its pure fractions for 5, 30 and 60 days. Haematological indices and plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were not adversely affected by the extract after 5 days of treatment. However, there were significant reductions (P < 0.05) in red blood cell (RBC) and packed cell volume (PCV) after 60 days of treatment with C. ferruginea. Haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were not affected while mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were increased (P < 0.01) after 60 days of treatment. Lymphocyte count was higher after 30 days of treatment while the white blood cell counts were not affected by prolonged treatment with the extract and its pure fractions. Plasma levels of ALT increased (P < 0.01) while those of AST was not affected after 60 days of treatment. There was a significant restoration of these parameters after withdrawal from treatments. The results suggest that prolonged administration of crude root extract of C. ferruginea may induce anaemia.

Key words: Cnestis ferruginea, blood indices, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), rat.