Asian Journal of Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Thrombocytopenia is a common haematological disorder associated with an increased risk of bleeding, while available treatment options may be costly and have limitations. This study evaluated the effects of methanol leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis on full blood count parameters in cyclophosphamide-induced thrombocytopenic Wistar rats. The leaves of Jatropha tanjorensis were collected, authenticated and extracted using methanol. Acute toxicity was assessed using Lorke's method. Thirty-seven (37) Wistar rats were used; twelve were used for acute toxicity, and twenty-five (25) were randomly allocated to five groups of five rats each for the main experiment. Thrombocytopenia was induced using cyclophosphamide, after which the treatment groups received methanol leaf extract at doses of 500, 750 and 1,000 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples were analysed for full blood count parameters. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance, and p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. No mortality was observed at doses up to 5,000 mg/kg. The extract produced significant improvements in several haematological and platelet parameters, including white blood cell count, red blood cell count, haematocrit, platelet count and selected platelet indices, especially at 500 mg/kg (p ≤ 0.05). The findings suggest that methanol leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis possesses haematological and thrombopoietic activities. Further studies are required to establish the active constituents, mechanisms of action and safety of the extract.