Journal of Blood Medicine (Sep 2021)

Catha edulis Forsk and Ascorbic Acid Effects on Hematological Indices in Rat

  • Leminie AA,
  • Dugul TT,
  • Eshetu EM,
  • Melka DS

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 12
pp. 855 – 862

Abstract

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Abebaye Aragaw Leminie,1 Tesfaye Tolessa Dugul,1 Eyasu Makonnen Eshetu,2 Daniel Seyifu Melka3 1Department of Physiology, Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Department of Pharmacology, Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 3Department of Biochemistry, Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Abebaye Aragaw Leminie Email [email protected]: The prevalence of chewing Catha edulis Forsk and the use of ascorbic acid is increasing from time to time. Their subchronic effects on hematological indices are not well examined. The present study was aimed to investigate their subchronic effects on hematological indices in rats.Materials and Methods: A total of 36 adult (7– 8 weeks) wild-type rats weighing between 213 and 229g were used in this study. They received Catha edulis Forsk extract (Ce) (100 milligrams/kilogram, 200 milligram/kilogram and 300 milligram/kilogram b.w), Catha edulis Forsk juice (2.5 mL/kg), ascorbic acid (AA 200 milligram/kilogram), and 2% tween 80 in distilled water (T80W- v/v) for twelve weeks. Hematological indices were measured with Sysmex KX-21. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21.0 and Microsoft Excel.Results: Neutrocytes (p < 0.01), lymphocytes (p < 0.05), plateletcrit (p < 0.05), average size of platelets (p < 0.05), platelet size variability (p < 0.01), platelet–large cell ratio (p < 0.05) and neutrocytes/lymphocytes ratio (p < 0.001) were significantly greater, while hemoglobin concentration per red blood cell (p < 0.05) and hemoglobin concentration per volume of red blood cells were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in rats received khat. The red cell distribution width (p < 0.05), platelet size variability (p < 0.05) and platelet–large cell ratio (p < 0.01) were significantly greater in rats received ascorbic acid.Conclusion: Crude Catha edulis Forsk extract and juice changed some hematological indices and increased platelet activities. The platelet activity was also increased by ascorbic acid. The mechanisms for these changes need to be investigated.Keywords: Catha edulis Forsk, ascorbic acid, hematological indices

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