EFFECT OF THE METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF DALBERGIA SAXATILIS HOOK.F ON PLATELET INDICES FOLLOWING COTTON PELLET-INDUCED GRANULOMA IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Dalbergia saxatilis is a member of the Fabaceae family. It is used to treat a variety of ailments including cough,
small pox, skin lesions, bronchial ailments, and toothache. The plant is native to Tropical Africa, Senegal,
Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, and also Nigeria. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the
methanol leaf extract of Dalbergia saxatilis leaves on platelet indices in Wistar rats. Anti-inflammatory activity was
evaluated using cotton pellet-induced granuloma method at doses of 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg body weight.
Complete blood count was carried out to determine the platelet indices (Platelet to lymphocyte ratio, Mean platelet
volume, Platelet distribution width). Histology of the granuloma tissue was also carried out. The methanol leaf
extract decreased the dry weight of the cotton pellet granuloma, it significantly (p < 0.05, 0.01) reduced the Platelet
to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in the aspirin 150 mg and extract 1000 mg/kg groups; Mean platelet volume (MPV) and
Platelet distribution width (PDW) were also reduced but statistically insignificant compared to distilled water group.
The extract also reduced hemorrhage and hyperplasia of inflammatory cells in the granuloma tissue in rats, when
compared with the distilled water group. The result from this study suggests that the anti-inflammatory effect of the
methanol leaf extract of Dalbergia saxatilis may be through its effect on platelet indices.