ABSTRACT

The effect of Ocimum tenuiflorum on hematological parameters in immunosuppressed albino rats was investigated in this study. The aqueous (AE) and methanol extract (ME) of the leaf were obtained. Acute toxicity study was done to determine the LD50 of the leaf extract. Rats of mixed sexes, aged 2- 3months, weighing 150 to 240 grams were used. The rats were divided into 8 groups A-H of four rats each. Group A served as normal control. Immunesuppression was induced using 3mg/kg bodyweight of cyclophosphamide (CP) to rats in groups B to F for 5 days. Group B was CP control. Group C, D, E and F received 500 mg/kg bodyweight (b.wt) of AE, 1000mg/kg b.wt of AE, 500 mg/kg b.wt of ME, and 1000 mg/kg b.wt of ME once daily for 21 days by oral route, using oral cannula. Groups G & H (none induced) received 500 mg/kg b.wt AE and 1000 mg/kg b.wt ME once daily for 21 days. Rats in all the groups received rat feed and water ad libitum for 21 days. On days 15 and 22, 2ml of blood were drawn from each rat via the median canthus into EDTA (ethylenediamin tetra acetic acid) bottle. The HB, PCV, total and differential WBC, were determined using automatic cell counter. Group B CP control of day 15 showed significantly deceased value in HB; 5.8 ± 0.30g/dl, PCV; 17.6 ± 0.74%, WBC; 0.63 ± 0.2x103/µl Neut; 0.75 ± 1.50%, Lym; 3.5 ± 4.73%, compared with the normal control group A: HB; 13.65 ± 0.47g/dl, PCV;41.15 ± 1.35%, WBC; 11.35 ± 1.76 x103/µl, Neut; 22.25 ± 6.55%, Lym; 73.75 ± 6.75, Mono; 2.5 ± 1.73, Eos; 1.75 ± 1.26, (P