Haematological, Renal and Gastric Effects of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Bauhinia variegate Linn

Bauhinia variegata (Linn.) is a tropical plant used in many traditional system of medicine in the treatment of a variety of diseases including renal and gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the haematological, renaland gastric effects of Bauhinia variegataethanol leaf extract in rats. Wistar rats of either sex were divided into four groups and treated as follows; Group 1 received distilled water (10 mL/kg), Groups 2, 3, and 4 received 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of B. variegate leaf ethanol extract, respectively, orally once daily for 28 days. After the 28th day, the rats were weighed and sacrificed. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture and used for hematological and biochemical analyses. Histopathological examination of the kidney and stomach was done following standard procedure. Result of the haematological analysis shows that ethanol leaf extract of Bauhinia variegataat 200 mg/kg caused a significant decrease in the serum levels of white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hgb), haematocrit (HCT), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and platelets (PLT), while other parameters were same as that of the control group. No significant alteration in renal function parameters at all doses test except for an increase in serum creatinine. Histological examination of the kidneys and stomach show no abnormal tissue architecture following treatment with Bauhinia variegata extract. These observations indicate that Bauhinia variegate leaf extract is relatively safe on short term administration, but be used with caution under chronic conditions.