JATROPHA-CURCAS EXTRACT CAUSES ANEMIA IN RAT

An investigation into the possible effects of the methanol extract of Jatropha curcas on some haematological parameters was carried out on m ale albino rats, The extract was observed to cause a progressive reduc tion in the measured haematological values (packed cell volume, haemog lobin concentration and red cell counts), The reduction in values of r ed blood cell counts and haemoglobin concentration were significantly (p<0.01) pronounced in 8 day and 10 day treated rats compared with the control. The LD50 in the acute toxicity test in mice was 25.19 mg. Th e results suggest that Jatropha curcas most likely caused macrocytic h ypochromic type of anaemia in rats. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.