Abstract

One of the commonly consumed leafy vegetables in Nigeria is Pterocarpus mildbraedii Harms (Leguminosae) leaf. It has been found that, ethanol and aqueous extracts of the plant leaves exert anti-diabetic effect on rats. This study investigated the effects of ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts of this plant on some hematological parameters and serum cholesterol level in Wistar albino rats. Intraperitoneal administration of ethanol and aqueous extracts of P. mildbraedii leaves at the doses of 200 and 400 mg kg^-1, on two groups of rats for 28 days showed no adverse effects on the hematological parameters considered in this study. There was a significant (p < 0.05) dose dependent increase in almost all the hematological parameters. However, the serum cholesterol level was significantly reduced in rats exposed to both doses of the ethanol and aqueous extracts of the plant leaf as compared to the rats in the control group. These effects of the extracts increased with increased doses. These results suggest non-toxic effects of the leaf extracts of P. mildbraedii on the hematological parameters, as well as an ability to help in preventing cardiovascular diseases in the diabetics.

Key words: Pterocarpus mildbraedii, hematology, cholesterol, heart, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, toxicology.