THE EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA (SORREL) CALYCES ON HEAMATOLOGICAL PROFILE AND ORGAN PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN TRYPANASOMA CONGOLENSE – INFECTED RATS

The effects of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces on haematology and pathological changes in some selected organs during experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection of rats were investigated. Three groups of rats were intraperitoneally infected with T. congolense (Karu stock). One group was administered with the aqueous extract and another given a solution of vitamin C in drinking water; the remaining infected group was left untreated. Data from these groups were compared with those of two groups of healthy rats, one of which was similarly treated with the aqueous extract. The experiment was terminated three weeks, post-infection (pi). The uninfected and infected rats administered the extract consumed the equivalent of 9.94 mg – and 9.61 mg ascorbic acid / 100g / day during the experiment. Consumption of the extract significantly (