HAEMATOPOETIC EFFECT OF ETHYL ACETATE FRACTION OF HONEYCOMB IN RATS

Abstract

Ethyl acetate fraction (Ec4) of honeycomb was evaluated for acute toxicity and haematopoietic effects in rats using standard methods. Oral LD50 of fraction Ec4 was 5000 mg/kgbw. Oral administration of Ec4 (25 mg/kgbw, 50 mg/kgbw and 100 mg/kgbw) for 28days did not cause any variation in neutophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, WBC, RBC PCV, MCHC, MCV and platelet counts of rats. Fraction Ec4 at 100mg/kgbw evoked an insignificant (P>0.05) increase in the levels of basophil and significant (P<0.05) decrease in eosinophil counts in treated rats compared with the control. The results of this study revealed the potentials of honeycomb in stabilizing the immune system. Therefore, the fraction could be standardized and developed into affordable and acceptable phytomedicine for various ailments. But caution should be exercised on chronic exposure since it is capable of causing allergy in rats.