title: Effects of the hydroethanolic extract of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC (Fabaceae) on haematological profile in normal and haloperidol treated rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC (Fabaceae) is a climbing plant claimed in traditional medicine to possess anti-anaemic effect.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study is to investigate the effects of the hydroethanolic extract of M. pruriens (MP) on haematological profile in normal and haloperidol treated rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  MP was administered p.o. at doses of 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg to groups of rats daily for 28 days. Control animals received distilled water. Rats were sacrificed on the 28th day and blood samples collected for evaluation of haematological parameters and serum iron. Another set of animals received MP p.o. at same doses but along with haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for 4 days. Three other groups of rats received distilled water, haloperidol, and MP at 400 mg/kg alone. Haematological parameters and serum iron were determined. Extract iron content, phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity studies were also carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MP administered to normal rats for 28 days significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the number of platelets and proportion of neutrophils. In haloperidol treated rats, MP significantly reversed the reduction in mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values and increased the red blood cell (RBC) count and packed cell volume (PCV). MP also caused significant reduction in the number of platelets and proportion of neutrophils. Administered alone, MP caused a significant increase in the concentration of haemoglobin. The iron content of MP was found to be 61.20 mg/100 g and it was found to contain alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins and tannins. Given up to 10 g/kg p.o., no deaths and visible signs of toxicity were observed while the LD50 for the i.p. route was estimated to be 1509.46 mg/kg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings in the study suggest that the hydroethanolic extract of Mucuna pruriens possibly possess beneficial effects in anaemic conditions especially associated with iron deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, P. M. B. 12003 Lagos, Nigeria. ajakindele@cmul.edu.ng
authors.forename: Abidemi J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Akindele
authors.forename: Fadeyibi I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Busayo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects*; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D031299:Mucuna / Q000633:toxicity*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007501:Iron; D006220:Haloperidol