ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of methanol leaf extract of Amaranthus
spinosus on hematological and serum electrolytes level in phenylhydrazine induced anemia
in wistar albino rats. The twenty five (25) albino rats weighing 155-160g were used for the
study. They were allowed to acclimatize for one week with free access to feed and water.
After acclimatization, they were randomly distributed into five groups (A, B, C, D and E) of
5 rats each. The administration of the leaf extract was oral with the aid of an intubation
tube. The groups received different doses of methanol extract of the plant, Amaranthus
spinosus as follows: Group A: was normal control group administered normal saline and
feed. Group B: was (positive control) group received 10mg/kg body weight of
phenylhydrazine (untreated). Group C: was (standard control) group administered with
phenylhydrazine and treated with Hemoglobin 12 (standard drug). Group D: was induced
anaemia and were treated with 200mg/kg body weight of methanol extract of Amaranthus
spinosus leaves, and Group E: was induced anaemia and were treated with 400mg/kg body
weight of methanol extract of Amaranthus spinosus leaves. At the end of 28 days the blood
samples were collected from rats through the ocular vein for biochemical and
haematological assays using standard biochemical methods. The results also revealed no
significant difference (P>0.05) in Potassium (K+) and Sodium (Na+) concentration of rats
treated with methanol leaf of Amaranthus spinosus when compared to normal control
group. However, there was significant increase (P>0.05) in chloride (Cl-) with the rats
treated with the plant extract when compared to the normal control group. The results of
haematological studies showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in Packed cell volume
(PCV),and Haemoglobin (HB) levels in treated rats when compared to normal control groups.
The result of the study therefore, suggests that the leaf extracts are not toxic and could be
helpful in treatment of anemia
Keywords: Amaranthus spinosus, hematological, serum electrolytes and anemia