Abstract

HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF ASPIRIN-ULCERATED RATS PRE-ADMINISTERED THE ETHANOL EXTRACT OF THE LEAVES OF CARICA PAPAYA

Christian E. Odo*

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Abstract

The ability of gastric ulceration (in severe cases) to cause bleeding is known. Some haematologic abnormalities such as anaemia among others could result from extreme bleeding. This study was therefore, aimed at investigating the haematological indices of aspirin-ulcerated rats pre-administered the ethanol extract of the leaves of C. papaya. The effects of the ethanol extract of the leaves of C. papaya on red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV), concentration of haemoglobin (Hb) and total white blood cell (tWBC) count were evaluated with the aids of standard methods. The extract at the tested doses [100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (b.w)] significantly (p < 0.05) and dose-dependently increased the RBC counts, PCV values, Hb concentrations and tWBC counts of the rats in the test groups compared to the values obtained for the rats in the positive control group (group 2). The effects of the 400 mg/kg b.w of the extract were similar to those of the standard anti-ulcer drug, ranitidine at the dose of 150 mg/kg b.w. The ethanol extract of the leaves of C. papaya remarkably improved the haematological parameters in the ulcerated rats and hence may raise the desirability of the plant above some other plants for the treatment of gastric ulcer especially when the ulcer is bleeding-associated.

Keywords: Gastric ulceration, anaemia, Carica papaya and haematological indices.