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Mucuna sloanei is a legume used as a soup thickener by communities in some parts of Africa countries. The effect of aqueous seed extract of M. sloanei on the haematological profile of normal albino rats was investigated for 28 days using standard methods. The results show no overall dose dependent significant difference (p > 0.05) in the serum levels of the white blood cell count, red blood cell count and its indices (haemoglobin content, pack cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration) of the rats throughout the duration of the experiment when compared with the control. However, a dose independent significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the white blood cell level was observed in week 3, while the decrease observed in the remaining week was not significant. The effects of the interaction between the doses and duration of treatment were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) in all the haematological parameters tested. These findings suggest that consumption of the crude seed extracts of M. sloanei may not constitute any adverse effect on the haematological indices of the consumers. However, the significant reduction in white blood cell levels observed in week 3 could compromise the body's immunity and may predispose consumers to opportunistic and supra-infections in the long run.

Background Omega-3 fatty acids’ inclusion as feed supplement in the diets of both human and animals has been found to play a significant role in body metabolism. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the effects of graded doses of omega-3 fatty acids on haematology and body weight of adult male and female Rattus norvegicus (Wistar albino rats) as a model animal. Methods A total of seventy-two adult male and female albino rats were randomly assigned into two experimental units. Each unit was grouped into three and received different treatment diets. Blood erythrocytes and weight were sampled on days 0, 14 and 28 to evaluate haematological parameters and body weight. Results Results showed concentration- and time-dependent significant increases (p < 0.05) in the packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cells (WBCs), mean cell volume (MCV) and mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and non-significant change (p > 0.05) in the red blood cells (RBCs) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in male rats after day 0. In female rats, significant increases (p < 0.05) were recorded in the PCV, Hb, MCV and MCH, whereas no significant increase was observed in the RBCs. Activities of WBCs and MCHC showed mixed trend in female rats. The results of the body weight recorded non-significant increases (p > 0.05) in both experimental units. Conclusion Our findings depict that the use of omega-3 fatty acids in the diets of both male and female rats produced a dose-dependent effect on blood formation while its role in controlling weight gain was observed. Hence, its intake in both animal and human diets should be rightly prescribed.

Buchholzia coriacea (wonderful kola) is a medicinal plant that has been used worldwide as an alternative medication to promote human health. Comparative nephroprotective effects of crude seed powder, aqueous and methanolic extracts of B. coriacea in hepatotoxic rats was investigated for 56 days. The crude powder (BCCP), aqueous extract (BCAE) and methanolic extract (BCME) significantly reduced (p<0.05) the levels of creatinine and uric acid and decreased minimally throughout the treatment periods. Total protein increased significantly (p<0.05). Significant decrease (p<0.05) were observed with 200 mg/kg BCAE and BCCP respectively in urea and BUN levels. Noticeable nephroprotective effects may be attributed to the presence of phytochemicals like flavonoids and tannins which act as antioxidants. This study has demonstrated that B. coriacea crude seed powder, methanolic and aqueous extracts caused no adverse effect on the rat kidney and may be recommended for the management of nephrotoxicity Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 17(2): 227-235, 2018 (December)

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