INFLUENCE OF MORINGA OLEIFERA (DRUM-STICK) FRUIT EXTRACT ON HAEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE FOLLOWING REPEATED EXPOSURE TO LOW LEVELS OF ARSENIC THROUGH FEED ON RATS

Effect of Moringa oleifera fruits hot methanolic extract (MFE), if any, in minimizing the adverse reactions of repeated exposure to arsenic trioxide (AT) in feed was investigated in Wistar rats with reference to haematological profile. Three groups of rats each containing 10 (5male+5female) were used. The group I served as negative control. Rats of group II were fed arsenic trioxide (AT) alone @ 100 ppm in feed while those of group III simultaneously received AT (@100 ppm) and MFE (50 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. Blood samples were collected from retroorbital plexus for estimation of hematological parameters (haemoglobin, PCV, TEC, MCH, MCHC, MCV) of different groups on 0 day, 15th day and 29th day respectively. Exposure to AT through feed in group II resulted in significant (P