The effect of methanolic extract of Buchanania lanzan Spreng seeds on hematological indices

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current study was carried out to investigate the effects of methanolic extract of Buchanania lanzan Spreng seeds on hematological indices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen male albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups, six in each. Group I animals received distilled water, Group II and III were treated with an oral dose of 1000 mg oil/kg and 2000 mg oil/kg of extract, respectively, for 7 days. At the end of the study, blood was collected and evaluated for packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts. RESULTS: There was a significant dose-dependent increase in the hematological indices such as PCV, Hb, RBC, and WBC count in the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: The improvement of PCV, Hb, and RBC values is an indication of the anti-anemic effect which may be due to the stimulation of RBC production in bone marrow. Further, stimulated production of WBC could be as a result of possible stimulus of the immune system. Hence, this study confirms that the extract of B. lanzan could be useful for the treatment of anemia.