COMPARATIVE HEMATOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF CIMETIDINE, ASCORBIC ACID, CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA AND TETRACARPIDIUM CONOPHORIUM IN ADULT MALE ALBINO WISTAR RATS

Elizabeth Okokon Enodien, Okon Uduak Akpan and Idiongo Okon Umoh*

ABSTRACT

The day-to-day use of Cimetidine, Vitamin C, consumption of Lime and Walnuts increases globally with its rapid social and medicinal acceptance by both genders. In view of their wide usage especially in Africa, it becomes necessary to ascertain its comparative effects on haematological parameters of male albino wistar rats. Thus to study the effects of cimetidine, ascorbic acid (Vit. C), Citrus aurantifolia (lime) and Tetracarpidium conophorium (walnut) on haematological parameters, ninety six male albino wistar rats weighing 154 g - 281 g were obtained and divided into six groups. Groups A-D had 18 animals per group while Groups E and F had 12 animals each. Groups A-D were further divided into three sub-groups each of six animals per group with sub-group1 as control group, sub-group2 and 3 as experimental groups treated with medium and high doses of cimetidine, Vitamin C, Lime and walnut respectively. Group E and F were divided into two sub-groups of six animals each with sub-group1 as control and sub-group2 as experimental group treated with combined medium doses of cimetidine + Vitamin C and lime + walnut respectively. Administration was done twice daily for 21 days. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were obtained and analysed for haematological investigation. The results revealed that Cimetidine significantly reduced (p<0.05) WBC, RBC and PCV in medium dose groups compared to control. Lime significant decreased (p<0.05) WBC in medium dose group and Hb in medium and high dose groups compared to control. Combination treatment of Cimetidine and Vitamin C significantly decreased (p<0.05) WBC compared to control. Conclusively, cimetidine and lime interferes with haematopoiesis, Vitamin C has no effect on blood meanwhile Walnut plays a role in blood pressure regulation.

Keywords: Cimetidine Hematological indices, Citrus aurantifolia, haematopoiesis, Tetracarpidium conophorium.