Methanol extract of the leaves of Anacardium occidentale and its interaction with haematological parameters of indomethacin-ulcerated rats

Background and Aim: Bleeding might be associated with gastric ulceration and when severe, could bring about haematologic abnormalities such as anaemia among others. This research was therefore, designed to investigate the interaction of the methanol extract of the leaves of A. occidentale and haematological parameters of indomethacin-ulcerated rats. Methods: The effects of the methanol extract of the leaves of A. occidentale on red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV), concentration of haemoglobin (Hb) and total white blood cell (tWBC) count were determined with the aids of standard methods. Results: The extract at the graded 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, famotidine at the dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. Conclusion: The methanol extract of the leaves of A. occidentale 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-prone.