THE ROLE OF ALOE VERA ON HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS FOLLOWING PHENYLHYDRAZINE (PHZ)-INDUCED ANAEMIA IN WISTAR RATS

Elemi J. Ani*, Akaninyene U. Ime, Augustine L. Udefa and Udemeobong E. Okon

ABSTRACT

The effect of Aloe vera on some haematological indices in phenylhydrazine-induced anaemic rats was studied. Fifteen female wistar rats weighing 180-220grams were used for this study. They were randomly divided into three groups (n=5) thus: Group A: Control; Group B: Induced with anaemia using PHZ at a dose of 0.5ml/100g body weight on days 1, 3, 5 and 7. Group C received the same treatment as B and additionally treated daily with aloe vera gel administered orally at a dose of 0.6ml/kg b.w., one week after induction of anaemia. All groups received normal rat chow and water ad libitum. The feeding and treatment lasted for 28days and thereafter, the rats were subjected to sacrifice following standard methods and blood collected via cardiac puncture into EDTA sample bottles for analysis. Aloe vera treated group showed a significant increase in the mean food and water intake compared to B. A marked reduction in body weight was seen in group C compared to control while aloe vera treated group showed a significant increase in body weight compared to group B. A marked decrease in Hb, RBC count was seen in group B compared to control. Conversely, Aloe vera treated group had a significant increase in Hb and RBC count when compared to group B. Total white cell count was significantly increased in group B compared to control and Aloe vera treated groups. This trend was also observed for platelet count. From these results, Aloe vera treatment showed potent ameliorative effect following anaemia.

Keywords: Anaemia; Phenylhydrazine; Aloe vera; Red blood cell; white blood cell; platelet.