ABSTRACT
Background stud: The consumption of Xylopia aethiopica fruits has gained popularity, especially among the of Southern part Nigeria. .Xylopia aethiopica, a West African “pepper tree”, with straight stem and smooth bark. (Nnodim et al., 2013). Xylopia aethiopica plant has been use for decade as a medicinal spice for pregnant women and during post partum period. Studies have revealed that the fruit has anti-malaria, antibacterial and antifungal properties and the fruits are widely consumed within many localities in Nigeria
AIM: This study focused on the implication of the consumption of Xylopia aethiopica fruits on hematological parameters using the aqueous and oil extract of the fruit on pregnant Wistar rats.
METHODS: The fruits of Xylopia aethiopica were purchased, air-dried, and extracted using distilled water for aqueous extraction and hexane for the oil extraction.The 21 animals were assigned into seven groups of 3 rats each (control group, group 1,2,3,4,5 and 6), the control, groups 1,2 and 3 served as the test groups treated with the Aqueous extract of the fruit with graded doses of (250mg, 500mg and 1000mg). Group 4, 5 and 6 where treated (0.25, 0.5,and 1mil/kg) doses of oil fruit extract and they were feed with normal feeds and water only. The administration was done once daily from day 7 to day 14 of gestation (second trimeter) the oral route. Hematological parameters were investigated using standard methods P value of <0.05.
RESULT: The results showed that the extract significantly increased red blood cell parameters for the aqueous extract and also increased white blood cell parameters, especially both aqueous and oil extract. However, there was decrease in Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration for both aqueous and oil extract of the fruit . In conclusion: CONCLUSION: The effect of Xylopia aethiopica extract observed in this study shows that the aqueous extract may induce erythropoietic properties, used to boost RBC levels during pregnancy and reduce anemia. But this is highly dose dependent (250mg/kg of aqueous extract) because at high dose it can lead to reduction in MCHC which induces hypochromic anemia. The extracts might also be used to boost WBC which is inturn increase the activites of the immune systems during pregnancy.
KEYWORDS: Xylopia aethiopica, hematological parameters, anemia
