Effect of ethanolic extract of leaf of azadirachta indica on some hematological parameters in albino Wister rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ethanolic extract of the leaf of Azadirachta indica on haematological indices of rats. Twenty four adult male rats (weighing between 100 and 120g) were randomly but equally divided into four groups of six rats per group. Rats in group I (control) were administered with 10ml/kg of distilled water while rats in groups2 to 4 were respectively administered with the extract of A. indica orally at the dose levels of 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg, once daily for 14 days. On the 15th day post administration, rats of all the groups were sacrificed and their blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture into EDTA sample bottles for haematological analysis.The results showed that PCV, Hb, RBC counts were non-significantly increased in all the experimental groups compared to control, indicating that extract of A. Indica caused non-significant increase in thePCV, Hb and RBC counts. The mean white blood cell and platelet counts were significantly decreased in group3 compared to control. The mean lymphocyte values increased while the mean neutrophil values decreased in all the experimental groups compared to control. The mean values of MCH, MCHC and MCV were similar between experimental groups and the control. Therefore, in conclusion low dose of ethanolic Azadirachta indica causes increase in the cellular components of blood but higher dosesmay result in decrease of some or all of these blood parameters