Introduction
Blood and Haematological Parameters
Blood is a vital special circulatory tissue composed of cells suspended in a fluid intercellular substance (plasma) with the major function of maintaining homeostasis (Isaac et al., 2013). Haematological parameters, which consists of red blood cells, white blood cells or leucocytes, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration are valuable in the prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of disease that affects the blood as well as the health status of Wister albino rats (Oyawoye and Ogunkunle, 2004). Red blood cells (erythrocytes) serve as a carrier of haemoglobin. It involved in the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. White blood cells and its differentials fight infections, defend the body by phagocytosis against invasion by foreign organisms and to produce or at least transport and distribute antibodies in immune response. Blood platelets are implicated in blood clotting. Low platelets concentration suggest that the process of clot formation (blood clotting) will be prolonged resulting in excessive loss of blood in the case of injury. Packed cell volume (PCV) which is also known as hematocrit (HCT or HT) or erythrocyte volume fraction (EVF) is the percentage (%) of red blood cells in blood (Pieces et al., 2003). Packed cell volume is involved in the transport of oxygen and absorbed nutrients (Isaac et al., 2013). Increased packed cell volume show a better transportation and thus results in an increased primary and secondary polycythemia. Hemoglobin is the iron-containing oxygen transport metalloprotein in the red blood cells of all vertebrates (Martin et al., 1993) with the exception of the fish family, channichthyldae (Sidell and O’Brien, 2006) as well as tissue of invertebrate. Hemoglobin has the physiological function of transporting oxygen to tissue of the animal for oxidation of ingested food so as to release energy for the body functions as well as transport carbon dioxide out of the body of animals (Soetan et al., 2013).
Previous reports stated that packed cell volume, hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin are major parameters for evaluating erythrocytes, and are significant in the diagnosis of anemia and also serve as useful indices of the bone marrow capacity to produce red blood cells as in mammals (Awodi et al., 2006). Furthermore, high packed cell volume reading indicated either an increase in number of red blood cells or reduction in circulating plasma volume (Chineke et al., 2006). Mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration indicate blood levels condition. A low level is indication anemia (Aster, 2004).
Ethnomedicine
Regular consumption of plant foods are associated with numerous health benefits rooted in their various physiological effects as a result of their phytochemical and nutritional constituents (Hunter and Fletcher, 2002).
Telfairia occidentalis (family cucurbitaceous) is a typical vine grown in West Africa and highly reputed in traditional medicine (Badifu et al., 1995). Common names for this plant include fluted gourd, fluted pumpkin, and ugwu (in the Igbo language). T. occidentalis is traditionally used by an estimated 30 to 35 million indigenous people of Nigeria. However, it’s predominantly used by the Igbo ethnic group who cultivate it for food source and traditional medicine. The fluted gourd is noted to have blood tonic property. The leaf of T. Occidentalis is rich in essential and non-essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals (Fasuyi, 2006). The nutritional content of this plant makes it desirable as dietary supplements for human. The leaves are widely consumed and used in preparation of soups and salads and also in ethno medicine; the fresh leaves are used in the treatment of anemia, convulsion and malaria. The wide spread consumption of T. occidentalis reflect a substantive measure of its nutritional acceptability as a health promoting plant food (Iweala, E.E.J. and Obidoa, O., 2009).
Water leaf, which is botanically known as Talinum triangulare is an edible leafy vegetable that belong to the portulacea family. It’s an herbaceous perennial plant that normally has its stem evident above ground. The seed usually sprouts as a tiny, aqua colored plant before growing into a more conspicuous plant with larger leaves, this green leafy vegetable is referred to as water leaf due to its high moisture content of approximately 90.8g per 100g of the leaves. This vegetable contain a lot of water and nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, crude fiber, lipids, crude protein and other Which make them nutritious and medicinal in several ways such as;
Enhance cognitive ability because of the presence of certain constituents which helps to improve cerebral blood flow and cognitive function, the presence of iron (Fe) which is a micronutrient found in Talinum triangulare help also in the strengthening of the brain muscles and ti ssues, it also acts as an antioxidant as it prevents oxidative stress caused by the free radicals from damaging the body cells and tissues.
Materials and Methods
Plant Material
The whole plant of both Talinum Triangulare and Telfairia Occidentalis was purchased from Maggi market Sokoto Nigeria and was identified by a botanist at the Department of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto.
The leaves of both Talinum Triangulare and Telfairia Occidentalis were carefully removed and air dried for some days and was grinded using mortar and pestle into powered form. It was then stored under dry condition until required.
Experimental Animals
A total of twenty (20) Wister albino rats weighing between 150-180g were used for this research. The animals were purchased from Chibuzor a local distributor here in Sokoto, and then it was transported down to Usmanu Danfodio University under good care. The rats were housed in the Animal House of The Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto. The animals were kept in cages under normal environmental temperature and were fed with plated feed growers (Vital feeds, UAC foods) and tap water. The rats were allowed to acclimatize before being used for this research work.
Plant Material Extraction
Exactly 30g of grinded leaves of Talinum triangulare and Telfairia occidentalis were dissolved separately in 800ml of distilled water and left in an air tight aspirator container for 24 hours. The preparation was filtered using muslin cloth and the filtrates were concentrated with the aid of rotary evaporator and drying cabinet at a temperature of 45°C. The extracts were stored in an air tight container properly labeled.
Treatment
A concentration of 50mg/ml of the aqueous plant extract of Talinum Triangulare and Telfairia occidentalis was prepared by dissolving 1g in 20ml of distilled water. A dose of 250mg/kg body weight was administered in different groups’ ad-libitum (orally) daily for 21 days. The blood samples were collected in EDTA containers, Taken to the Haematological department of UDUTH for the estimation of Haematological parameters.
Sample Collection
Standard heparinized micro hematocrit capillary tubes are used for the blood collection, the animals are held by the back of the neck and the loose skin of the head is tightened with the thumb and middle finger. The tip of the capillary tube is placed at the medial canthus of the eye under the nictitating membrane, as soon as the sinus is punctured blood enters the tube by capillary action. When the allowable amount of blood is collected, the tube is withdrawn and slight pressure with a piece of gauze on the eyeball is used to prevent further bleeding. This process is called Retro-orbital Bleeding procedure. The samples were then taken to Haematology Department of Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital where the assay was carried out.
Result
Table 1, Haematological Parameters of Control and Albino Rats treated with T. occidentalis and Talinum triangulare.
| Group | WBC (×10³/uL) | RBC (×106/uL) | HGB (g/dL) | HCT (%) | MCV (fL) | MCH (pg) | MCHC(g/ dL) | PLT (×10⁴/uL) |
| NC | 7.73± 0.46 | 7.26± 0.41 | 12.75± 0.9 | 42.83± 3.59 | 65.30± 1.79 | 18.7± 0.49 | 28.87± 0.22 | 74.70± 5.73 |
| TO (250mg/Kg) | 14.04± 1.65* | 7.03± 0.42 | 12.73±0. 26 | 46.07± 1.74 | 63.63± 1.96 | 17.87± 0.73 | 28.27± 0.27 | 45.73±8.70 |
| TT (250mg/Kg) | 11.21± 1.16* | 7.54± 0.74 | 10.87±0. 22 | 41.40± 2.18 | 60.37± 1.05 | 16.00± 1.02 | 26.54± 1.20 | 57.63±10.12 |
| M (250mg/Kg) | 14.20± 2.16* | 8.76± 0.81 | 14.21±0. 38 | 48.63± 1.73 | 60.50±1.76 | 17.23± 0.49 | 29.23±0.3 9 | 70.87± 8.02 |
KEY: White blood cell (WBC), Red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB), Hematocrit (HCT), Mean corpuscles volume (MCV), Mean corpuscles haemoglobin (MCH), Mean corpuscles haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), Platelet (PLT). The values are expressed as Mean Standard error of Mean. Values with superscript (*) are significant different at p<0.05. Statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out using Microsoft excel 2010.
NC- Normal control,
TO- Talfeiria occidentalis, TT: Talinum triangulare,
M: Mixture of both Talfeiria occidentalis and Talinum triangulare.
Result Interpretation
The results effects of the aqueous extract of T. occidentalis and T. triangulare on red blood cell count, white blood cell count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and platelet count are shown in Table 1. Oral administration of the aqueous extract of T. Occidentalis and T. Triangulare for three weeks caused gradual but significant increases in the mean RBC count in the treated groups of rats (7.03±0.42, 7.54±0.74 and 8.76±0.81 x 106 cells/ul for groups II, III and IV, respectively). There were significant increases in the mean total WBC count in groups II (14.04±1.65 x 106 cells/ul), III (11.21±1.16 x 106 cells/ul) and group IV (14.2±2.16×106 cells/ul) when compared with the control group (7.73±0.46 x 106 cells/ul). The mean PCV in the treated rats shows no significant change when compared with the control group. The mean Hb concentration, the mean platelet count in group IV was not significantly different from the control. The results of the study shows that, the leaf extract of T. Occidentalis and T. Triangulare administered through the period of this experiment has positive effect only on the white blood cell count (p<0.05). There was no increase on the other Haematological parameters (RBC, PCV, Hb Conc. and platelet) in the treated rats when compared with the control group (p>0.05).
Discussion
The use of medicinal plants in treatments of various illness is increasing globally, as it is widely accepted that the use of plants-derived principles will offer access to effective medical care for the treatment and managements of diseases through self-medication (Lawal et al., 2015). It is however, recommended that safety should be the overriding criterion in the selections of these plants for health care needs (Shittu et al., 2015).
The examination of Haematological parameters including the red cells (erythrocytes), white cells (leucocytes) and the platelets (thrombocytes) and factors relating to them, provide information on inflammation, necrosis, various infections of visceral organs and the presence of stress factors (Jurcik et al., 2007; Melillo, 2007; Betancourt-Alonso et al., 2011). It also plays a vital role in the physiological, nutrition and pathological status of an organism (Odeghe et al., 2012). The major functions of the white blood cell and its differentials are to fight infections, defend the body by phagocytocis against invasion by foreign organisms and to produce or at least transport and distribute antibodies in immune response (Lawal et al., 2015).
The significant increase of the white blood cells count caused by the plants extract reflect possible immunomodulatory effects of the extracts which augmented the production of more WBC (Bashir et al., 2015). This will increase the animal’s capability of generating antibodies in the process of phagocytocis and have high degree of resistance to diseases and enhance adaptability to local environmental and disease prevalent conditions (Okunlola et al., 2012). While other Haematological parameters shows no significant change.
Conclusion
The result obtained from this experiment show insignificant change in all the Haematological parameters of the treated rats except the White Blood Cell count that shows great change when compared with the control group, these aqueous extracts (Talfeiria occidentalis and Talinum triangulare) have effects on only the immune system at this oral dosage of 250 mg/kg of body weight.
Recommendations
More research should be carried out using another set of rats to check for Haematological parameters, hepato protective properties, management of cardiovascular diseases using extracts of Telfairia occidentalis and Talinum triangulare.
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