EFFECT OF GAVAGE TREATMENT WITH PULVERISED GARCINIA KOLA SEEDS ON ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANE INTEGRITY AND SELECTED HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES IN MALE ALBINO WISTAR RATS

Summary: This study examines the effect of the whole seed of Garcinia kola (GKS) on various blood parameters, in adult male albino rats. Five groups, of 6 animals per group, were treated by gavage with suspensions of graded concentrations of GKS daily for 5 weeks. The animals were then sacrificed and blood was obtained for estimation of the data herein presented. Packed red cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), and red blood cell count (RBC) showed significantly (P < 0.05, Student’s t-test) increased response to treatment with GKS; while the platelet and white blood cell (WBC) counts showed no corresponding increase with increasing GKS dosage. The mean red blood cell volume (MCV) and mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) levels decreased with increasing GKS dosage. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APPT) were both prolonged with increased GKS dosage; while the serum lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) decreased significantly (P< 0.05, Student’s t-test) with increased GKS dosage. Key Words: Garcinia kola; erythrocyte osmotic fragility; haematological parameters; serum cholesterol triglyceride