Haematopoiesis Stimulation by Aqueous Extract of Parquentina nigrescens in Wistar Albino Rats

Extract of Parquetina nigrescens is used traditionally to treat anaemia by Yoruba people of South Western Nigeria. There is no previous study on the stimulatory effects of the herb on lymphoid cells (i.e. CD4+ T-cells). This study determined the levels of products of bone marrow stimulation including CD4+ T-cell in Wistar rats after oral administration of aqueous extract of the leaf of P. nigrescens. Fifteen Wistar rats, divided into five groups were used for this study. Group A=untreated (controls), group B=treated with 0.008 g of extract/kg body weight (BW), group C= treated with 0.08 g of extract/ kg BW, group D= treated with 0.8g of extract/kg BW, group E= treated with 8.0g of extract/kg BW. Blood sample was collected from each rat through cardiac puncture for the determination of hematological indices (WBC, RBC, PCV, Hb, MCV, total lymphocyte and CD4+T-cells) using haemocytometer and flow cytometer respectively. Aqueous extracts of the leaf of P. nigrescens did not evoke any observable toxic effect. There were significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of CD4+ T-cells and WBC in groups D and E compared with controls. PCV increased significantly (p<0.05) in groups C and E, while RBC was significantly (p<0.05) higher only in group E. MCV increased significantly (p<0.05) in groups B, C and D compared with controls. Hb and lymphocyte levels increased significantly (p<0.05) in groups C and E compared with controls. The dose of extract correlated significantly with RBC (r=0.660, pvalue=0.027) and CD4+T-cells (r =0.812, p-value =0.002). Aqueous extract of P. nigrescens at 0.8g/kg BW and 8.0g/kg BW may be beneficial to immune-compromised and anaemic individuals respectively