Omodamiro O D and Nwankwo C I
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of V.africana on the plasma lipid profile and haematological parameters albino wistar rats. The animals were grouped into six groups, each group receiving different doses of 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 mg/kg body weight for three weeks. At the end of each week one animal from each group was sacrificed and the blood used to assay for HDL-Cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, total Cholesterol, triglycerides and VLDL-Cholesterol and also packed cell volume, Red Blood Cell count, Haemoglobin, White Blood Cell count, Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin, Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin , and Mean Corpuscular Volume.The results at the end of each week showed significant (p≤0.05) increase packed cell volume, Red Blood Cell count, Haemoglobin, White Blood Cell count, Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin, Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin, while Mean Corpuscular Volume reduced. A dose dependent change in lipid parameters was also observed. From the study it was observed that 75mg/kg body weight decreased LDL cholesterol and 125mg/kg increased HDL cholesterol. This dose sensitive alteration of serum lipid profile justified the use of the plant in treating cardiovascular diseases, and the increase in haematological indices indicates that the plant can be used to treat anaemia and other blood disorders.
