ABSTRACT

 This study determined the effect of n-hexane extract of Emilia sonchifolia leaves on some.haematological parameters in rats exposed to sodium arsenite (NaAsO2). Twenty eight (28) male albino rats were divided into four (4) groups of seven (7) rats per group. Group I: control rats received feed and water only,Group II: received 250mg/kg b. wt ofEmilia sonchifolia extract orally, Group III: receive 2.5 mg/kg b.wt of sodium arsenite intraperitoneally,while Group IV: received 2.5mg/kg b.wt ofsodium arsenite+250/ngZtg b.wt ofEmilia sonchifolia. Treatment were given daily for 14days. At the end of the 14‘" day, rats in each groups were sacrificed and blood samples were collected by ocular puncture for the determination of haematological parameters which include: Hb, PCV, RBC, WBC, Platelets, MCV, MCH, MCHC, ,Neutrophils etc. The result showed a nonsignificant (p>0.05) different in platelets when compared to group 1 and significant (p<0.05) increase when compared to group3,this as a result of thrombocytopenia after sodium arsenite intoxification. In RBC level it shows a significant (p<0.05) decrease when compared to group 1, and a significant (p<0.05) decrease when compared to group 3. The one treated with Emillia sonchifolia shows a significant (p<0.05) increase in WBC level when compared to group 1, whereas significant (p<0.05) decrease when compared to group 3 because of the toxic action of the sodium arsenite. HB level was high in group 1, also in group 3 this is an indication that extract could increase erythropoesis in animals. PCV level was high in the extract and sodium arsenite treated group when compared to group 3, Neutrophil level showed low when compared to group 1 but high when compared to group 3 which specifies that Emillia sonchifolia improves phagocytic activity. Lymphocytes level was observed high when group compared to group 1 but slight low when compared to group 3 because the extract decreases the effector cells of the immune system. MCV, MCH and MCHC levels showed high when compared to group 1 also, showed high when compared to group 3. The result therefore suggests that the n-hexane extract of Emilia sonchifolia leaves possessed hematinic, immune-boosting effects as well as antioxidant activity in Wistar albino rats as observed by the significant elevation of the haematological parameters. This could be as a result of presences of phytochemicals like flavanoids,terpenes in the Emillia sonchifolia plants extracts.