EFFECT OF LEAF EXTRACTS OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA (GUAVA) ON THE BIOCHEMICAL AND HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF ALBINO RATS
ABSTRACT
This study was to investigate the effect of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Psidium guajava leaves on the biochemical and haematological indices of liver functions in rats, and compare the effect of the extracts on body weight of albino rats on weekly interval for four weeks. A total of eight four rats were divide into two experimental group of thirty six rats per group and one was treated with aqueous extract while the other was treated with methanolic extract also a common control group made of twelve rats. Each experimental group was made up of three treatment sub-group which consists of different concentration levels of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg. A sub-group consists of three replicate of four rats per replicate. Blood samples were collected from rats in each replicate of treatment and control groups and tested for various biochemical and haematological parameter using standard method. The result of the study showed that there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the concentration levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP). Whereas there was a significant decrease (P > 0.05) in most of the concentration levels of serum cholesterol compared to the control. However, a significant increase (P < 0.05) was observed from the result obtained from packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC) and haemoglobin (Hb). The body weight of the rats generally dropped as a result of oral administration of P. guajava extract. Previous data tend to suggest that a moderate ingestion of the extracts is beneficial to the body although the increase in the liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP and ACP) tend to suggest a dysfunction in the physiology of the liver. However the beneficial effect extends to the fact that it can be used in the treatment of obesity, blood diseases and building the immune system due to its ability to lower the body weight and also increase all the haematological parameter.