Oluwatayo Beatrice Olatundun
Madonna University Elele Campus, Nigeria
Title: Preliminary Haematological Study and Phytochemical Analysis on Aqueous Extract Of Theobroma Cacao Stem Bark in Rats
Biography
Biography: Oluwatayo Beatrice Olatundun
Abstract
Cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao) products like the seeds and seed coats have been used to treat variety of ailments including diabetes, blood pressure and chest complaint. In recent times, the stem bark of Theobroma cacao has form part of ingredients in concoction used in treating sickle cell anaemia in some part of Nigeria but the properties responsible for the relief this treatment offers is unknown. Phytochemical constituents and mineral cations of the aqueous extract of Theobroma cacao stem bark and its effect on haematological parameters in rat model was investigated. Powdered sample was used for the phytochemical and mineral analysis following standard methods. For haematological studies, 20 male Sprague Dawley rats (124-214kg/bwt) were randomly divided into 4 oral treatment groups of 5 rats per group as follows: Group 1 (control) received feed and water only. Groups 2, 3 & 4 were given 20mg, 40mg and 80mg/kg b.w. of the aqueous extract respectively, using oral cannula and were fed with normal feed and water ad libitum for 28days. Some of the phytochemical content include: glycosides, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, etc. and minerals and vitamins like; sodium, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and K. There was a significant increase (p<0.001) in WBC and RBC counts while the haematocrit and haemoglobin reduced significantly (p<0.001) in a dose dependent patern. Rats haematology is still being studied, increasing the dosage of the extract administered to the animals which might reveal the actual levels of change in the parameters.