EFFECT OF COMBINATIONS OF COCOS NUCIFERA WATER AND ANTHOCLEISTA VOGELII AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT ON RED BLOOD CELL AND PACKED CELL VOLUME INDICES OF EXPERIMENTAL RATS

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the combination of Cocos nucifera water and aqueous leaf extract of Anthocleista vogelii on the production level of red blood cells in experimental rats. Twenty-one Wistar rats (150-180 g) of either sex were grouped into three of seven rats per group. The control group was administered normal saline (10 ml/kg), while the treated groups received the combinations of C. nucifera water and aqueous leaf extract of A. vogelii at the doses of 200 and 400
mg/kg. There was significant (P<0.05) increase in red blood cell counts and packed cell volume in animals administered both doses of the combination as compared to the control group. This improvement was as a result of increasing the dosage. C. nucifera water in combination with the aqueous leaf extract of A. vogelii has positive effects on red blood cell production in experimental rats.