EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS ON HAEMATOLOGICAL VARIABLES OF EXPERIMENTALLY-INDUCED CHRONIC STRESSED WISTAR RAT

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the ethanol leaf extract of Telfairia Occidentalis (T.O) on some hematological variables in experimentally-induced chronically-stressed rats. Thirty male rats (n=5) were randomly assigned to six groups: negative control, positive control (untreated chronic stress), standard drug (treated Sertraline 25mg/kg/bw), and three test groups treated with low (100 mg/kg), mid (200 mg/kg), and high (400 mg/kg) doses of T.O extract respectively. Chronic stress was induced through cold-water swimming between 30-60 minutes per day, for a period of 14 days The T.O extracts were administered 45 minutes before the swimming. At the end of the exposure, blood samples were obtained for assessment of some hematological parameters using standard method. Compared with the control, exposed untreated group presented decreased PCV (38.67±2.07 vs 42.67±1.45), Hb (12.53±0.84 vs 42.67±1.45), and RBC count (6.17±0.41 vs 42.67±1.45), but increased WBC count (5233.33±202.76 vs 42.67±1.45) count. Treatment with low and mid doses of T.O extract significantly improved PCV, Hb, and RBC count, while the high dose exhibited adverse effects. WBC count was further increased by the low and mid doses of T.O while the high dose decreased it. Behavioral studies revealed that the low and high doses of T.O extract mitigated anxietylike behaviors induced by chronic stress. In conclusion, findings from this study suggest that the ethanol leaf extract of T. occidentalis has potential protective benefits in managing chronic stressinduced hematological alterations and anxiety-like behaviors.