The effect of Guiera senegalensis leaf extract was investigated on the blood parameters of albino rats infected with Trypanasoma brucei. Thirty (30) albino rats were randomly divided into six groups (A-F), of five rats each. Rats in groups (A-E) were individually infected with 4×106 of Trypanasoma brucei, while those in group F remained uninfected control. The infected rats were later treated for four consecutive days starting on day 4 post infection. Groups A, B and C were treated orally with 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg of the extract of Guiera senegalensis respectively, while group D was treated with Diminazine aceturate at 3.5 mg/kg once. Rats in groups E and F were not treated during the experiment. Rats treated with the extract at 600 mg/kg survived up to day 12 post infection. Haematological parameters (Packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), Red blood cell count (RBC) and White blood cell count (WBC) decreased significantly (p˂0.05) across the days in the extract treated groups compared with the Diminazine aceturate treated (group D) and the uninfected control (group F). Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) varied significantly (p˂0.05) in an irregular pattern in the treated groups. Neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte decreased significantly (p˂0.05) in the extract treated groups. However, eosinophil count increased significantly (p˂0.05) in the Diminazine aceturate treated group and the uninfected groups. The extract at the highest dosage tested (600 mg/kg) prolonged the survival of the rats, but did not significantly (p˂0.05) improve the haematological parameters investigated. Higher dosages are recommended for further studies.
Key words: Haematological parameters; Effect; Guiera senegalensis; Extract; Trypanosoma brucei
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