The effects of the leaf water extract of Struchium sparganophora (Linn.) Ktze asteraceae on the hematopoietic parameters and the organ system of rats.

Struchium sparganophora, (Linn.) Asteraceae is a culinary herb consumed in the western part of Nigeria and it is known to have a nutritive value. This study was carried out to assess its' effects on the hematopoietic parameters and its toxicity on the organ system of Wistar rats. The animals were randomly divided to five (5) groups. The group 1 (control) received distilled water equivalent to the volume of extract administered while groups, 2, 3, 4 and 5 received the aqueous extract of 0.2g, 0.4g, 0.8g and 1.6g/kg body weight orally respectively for 4 weeks. The rats were anaesthesized with chloroform vapors 24 hours after the last day of extract administration and blood and organ tissues were collected through dissection for hematopoietic as well as histological examinations. Hematological parameters like hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), white blood count (WBC) and platelet count were examined. The hematological parameters observed were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from that of the control except platelet counts that showed significant difference (P < 0.05). Histological assessment of cerebellum, kidney and trapezoid nuclei of the brain in all groups showed normal cytoarchitecture. However neuropathological damage such as lesions, chromatolysis and necrosis were observed to progress in the liver as the concentration of extract increases. This study shows that the extract at low doses did not cause significant (P > 0.05) necrohistopathological effects on the brain and the kidney indicating that the plant is safe at low doses but at a high dose of 1.6g/kg and above significant (P < 0.05) suppression of the platelet level was observed suggesting disturbances of hematopoiesis as even reflected by the necrohistopatholo-gical effects on the liver. Thus, the result revealed that the aqueous extract did not possess blood boosting ability and could cause liver damage if consumed at high concentrations.