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This study determined the alterations in haematological parameters of indomethacin-ulcerated rats treated with P. americana seed (PAS) and B. pinnatum leaf (BPL) ethyl acetate fraction. Fifty (50) healthy Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into ten (10) groups of five (5) animals each according to body weight (100-120 g). Animals in group I served as normal control; the rats in groups III-X were pre-treated with 20 mgKg-1 b. wt. Omeprazole (STD), 400 mgKg-1 b. wt. PAS, 400 mgKg-1 b. wt. BPL, 400 mgKg-1 b. wt. PAS + BPL (1:1), 400 mgKg-1 b. wt. PAS + BPL (1:2), 400 mgKg-1 b. wt. PAS + BPL (1:3) respectively for 21 days. Thereafter, animals in groups II-X were induced for gastric ulcer by intubation of 30 mgKg-1 b. wt. indomethacin after being fasted for 24 hours. The animals were sacrificed after 4 hours and the complete blood count was determined using an automated hematology analyzer. Results obtained from the study showed significant (p<0.05) elevation in the total and differential white blood cell count of Wistar rats in the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer control group and ethyl acetate fraction treated groups. Indomethacin, PAS, and BPL ethyl acetate fraction and the combinations did not cause marked changes in red blood cell indices. However, platelet count was significantly (p<0.05) reduced by the combinations of the P. americana seed and B. pinnatum leaf ethyl acetate fraction. These findings demonstrated that indomethacin induction resulted in a significant increase in the total white blood cell and platelet count when matched with the control group; this was similarly seen in PAS+BPL (1:3) and PAS+BPL (3:1) combinations of PAS and BPL. The result is suggestive of a compromise in the hemostatic capability of the blood in rats treated with some combinations of P. americana seed and B. pinnatum leaf ethyl acetate fraction.
Asiwe et al. (Mon,) studied this question.