COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF ETHANOL LEAF-EXTRACTS OF FICUS CAPENSIS AND MORINGA OLEIFERA ON SOME HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES IN NORMAL ALBINO RATS

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of ethanol leaf-extracts of Ficus capensis and Moringa oleifera on some haematological indices in normal albino rats. Forty albino rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups A, B, C and D. Group A with 5 rats received water and feed only and served as the positive control. Group B with five rats received feed, water and astyfer (multivitamin) and served as standard control. Groups C and D were sub divided into 3 groups designated as C1, C2, C3, D1, D2 and D3 with 5 rats each. The two sub-groups were administered twice daily of the ethanol leaf-extracts of Ficus capensis and Moringa oleifera at the doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg. Haematological indices were determined by standard methods. The result of the study showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in the mean body weight of the albino rats in groups that received the extracts and multivitamin. The result also revealed a significant (P <0.05) increments in the levels of haemoglobin(Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell counts in the groups administered with ethanol leaf-extracts of Ficus capensis and Moringa oleifera relative to positive control. A significant (p<0.05) increase in PCV and Hb levels in albino rats administered ethanol leaf-extract of Moringa oleifera in a dose dependent manner relative to groups administered ethanol leaf extract of Ficus capensis except in WBC and RBC where a significant (p<0.05) increase was recorded in those groups administered Ficus capensis ethanol leaf extract relative to groups administered Moringa oleifera extract. Generally there was no significant (p<0.05) effect on the haematological indices in rats administered ethanol leaf extract of Ficus capensis relative to rats administered Moringa oleifera extract. This confirms the use of Ficus capensis and Moringa oleifera in ethno-medicine to boast blood for anaemic patient and pregnant women. Key Words: Hematological indices, Ficus capensis, Moringa oleifera, Albino rats, Weight and Ethanol leaf- extract