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African Journal of Biomedical Research
Ibadan Biomedical Communications Group
ISSN: 1119-5096
Vol. 6, Num. 3, 2003, pp. 149-150

African Journal of Biomedical Research, Vol. 6, No. 3, Sept, 2003, pp. 149-150

Short Communication

STUDIES ON THE EFFECTS OF Amaranthus spinosus LEAF EXTRACT ON THE HAEMATOLOGY OF GROWING PIGS

+OLUFEMI B.E.* ASSIAK I.E, + AYOADE G.O. AND *ONIGEMO M.A.

+ Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan , Nigeria .
* Lagos State polytechnic Ikorodu , Nigeria

Received: January, 2002
Accepted: July, 2002

Code Number: md03058

Ethanol extract of Amaranthus spinosus leaf (EEAL) was administered orally to growing pigs to determine its effects on the haematological characteristics-packed cell volume (PCV) red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, and haemoglobin (HB) concentration. Eighteen growing pigs were randomly allotted to two treatments with each treatment replicated thrice. Pigs in treatment 1 were administered with EEAL. Treatment 2 served as control receiving no treatment. Results showed that there were significant (P<0.05) reduction in the PCV, RBC and Hb of the pigs administered with EEAL seven days post treatment and their weight gains significantly (P<0.05) improved. Amaranthus spinosus , although an active vermifuge should be used in animals with adequate precaution to avoid any probable toxic effects.

Key words: Amaranthus spinosus, leaf extract, pig haematology .

INTRODUCTION

Amaranthus spinosus is an annual weed that is widely distributed in the humid zone of the tropics including Nigeria (Assiak et al 2001). The weed has been reported to have some pharmacological properties (Ayethan et al, 1995).

The leaf contained anthriquinone derivatives, cardiac glycosides and saponins (Table 1) . Extracts of the leaf had also been used in the treatment of menstrual disorders in man (Ayethan et al 1996). The present report presents the results of our preliminary study on the administration of the extract of A. spinosus leaf in growing pigs and its effects on some blood parameters and weight gain of the pigs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The A. spinosus leaf was harvested from a cultivated plot, sun-dried to crispiness, and milled. The milled leaf was macerated in 50% ethanol for 72 hours. The cold extract was then filtered and the filtrate concentrated to slurry over a water bath. The slurry was stored in a refrigerator at 4°C prior to administration. A. spinosus was identified at the Botany museum of the Department of Botany, University of Ibadan Nigeria .

Eighteen growing pigs were used for this study. They were randomly allotted to two treatments, each treatment was replicated thrice. Treatment 1(T1) pigs were administered with Ethanol extract of Amaranthus spinosus leaf (EEAL). Treatment 2 (T 2 ) received no treatment and served as control. EEAL was administered at 0.5g per kg body weight as slurry orally.

Blood samples were collected from the animals pre-treatment and 1, 7, 14 and 21 days post treatment. The weights of the animals were also taken during the period. Blood samples were collected in Ethylene diamino-tetra-acetic-acid (EDTA) bottles. Parked cell volume (PCV) was determined using Wintrobe haematocrit method (Wintrobe, 1933), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell counts (WBC) were determined using the Neubauer haemocytometer. All data collected were analysed using the analysis of variance and Duncan multiple range test (Steel and Torrie, 1982).

RESULTS

Table 2 shows the blood characteristics of the pigs pre and post treatment. The PCV, RBC and Hb of pigs treated with EEAL were significantly (P<0.05) depressed seven days post treatment. PCV reduced from 43.5 to 16.2 at day 7 and increased to 28.50 and 38.5 at day 14 and 21 respectively. RBC reduced from 8.22 to 3.85 at day 7 and rose to 6.2 and 11.2 at days 14 and 21. White blood cells (WBC) also was affected falling from 15 to 13.95 and 8.80 on days 7 and 14.

Table 1: Phytochemical Screening of sundried Amaranthus spinosus leaves.

Secondary Metabolites

Occurrence

Anthriquinone Derivative

Cardiac Glycosides

Saponins

Alkaloids

Tannins

++

++

++

-

-

NB: - means absent; + means present after Assiak et al. 2001.

Table 2: Hematological characteristics in Pretreatment and 7, 14, & 21 days after treatment.

Treatment

Blood character

Pre-treatment

Days post treatment

7

14

21

1

PCV (Vol/%)

RBC (x10 6 / m l)

Hb (g/100ml)

WBC (x10 3 / m l)

43.50±0.69a

8.22±0.78b

13.85±0.57a

15.00±0.96

16±2.45d

3.85±1.56

5.00±1.54c

13.95±1.45

28.50±1.89b

6.20±0.56c

8.90±0.43b

8.80±4.6

38.5±2.36c

11.20±1.96a

12.60±1.2b

14.90±3.10

2

PCV (Vol/%)

RBC (x10 6 / m l)

Hb (g/100ml)

WBC (x10 3 / m l)

38±2.76

7.98±1.68

12.2±0.47

12.10±1.28

37.5±2.20

6.95±2.28

12.00±1.45

9.0±3.85

34.5±2.51

6.85±0.25

10.5±0.86

13.20±3.56

33.50±1.26

12.50±2.03

10.70±0.45

22.00±2.99

NB: All means with different superscript in the same column are significantly different (P<0.05)

Table 3: Average Weight Gain Kg/Pig/Day Pretreatment and in 7, 14 & 21 days Post-treatment.

Treatment

Pre-treatment

Days post treatment

7 (Kg)

14 (Kg)

21 (Kg)

1

0.13

±0.03

0.12

±0.06 c

0.46

±02 b

0.48

±0.03 a

2

0.10

±0.02

0.22

±0.03 b

0.29

±0.02 c

0.26

±0.06 b

NB: All means with superscript in the same column are significantly different (P<0.05).

These characteristics were not significantly affected in the control pigs. The EEAL significantly reduced the PCV, RBC and Hb of pigs albeit temporarily. The final weight and average weight gains of the pigs were significantly improved with the administration of EEAL (Table 3).

DISCUSSION

Saponins are subgroup of glycosides and are known to cause haemolysis of red blood cells (Lawrence et al 1977; Roden, 1994; Mohammed, 1994). This property may have been responsible for the altered RBC, WBC profile days after application (Table 2). The final weight and average weight gains of the pigs were significantly improved with the administration of EEAL. This may have been as a result of some unidentified growth factors (UGF) present in natural plant products and the vermifuge effects (Assiak et al 2001). The fall in white blood cell count on 7 th and 14 days indicated immune-suppression. There is therefore the need to back up treatments with antibiotic wherever and whenever this is indicated.

REFERENCES

  • Assiak, I.E., Onigemo, M.A., Olufemi, B.E. and Tijani L.A. (2001) Amarathus spinosus as a Vermifuge. A preliminary investigation in pigs Proceedings of the 26 th Annual conference of the Nigeria Society for Animal Production. Vol. 26 pp 60.
  • Ayethan, Win-Myint, Mu-Mu-Sein Myint and Maybwin (1996). The effects of some Medicinal plants on smooth muscle. AB Abstract 1970/79.
  • Lawrence, D.R., Bennett, P.N. Brown, M.S (1997) chemical Pharmacology 8 th edition, Longman Publishers Ltd. Singapore pp 465-466.
  • Mohammed, A. (1994) A Textbook on Pharmacognosy. Jain Bhaman Bhola Nath Nagor, Shadora Delhi - 110032 ( India ) pp 24, 27, 76-79, 87-89
  • Roden M.D (1994) Risk and Benefits of Antiarrhythmic Therapy New J. of Med. 331:785-791.
  • Steel R.G.D and Torries J.H (1982) Principal and procedures of statistics 2 nd edition Mc GrawHill International Book Co. Auckland.
  • Wintobe, M.M (1933) Microscopic Examination of Blood Am. J. Med. Sci. 185:58-59.

© Ibadan Biomedical Communications Group

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