Effects of Aqueous Wood Extracts of Azadirachta Indica and Parkia Biglobosa on the Haematological Profile of Mus Musculus
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1011-5532Keywords:
Azadirachta indica, Parkia biglobosa, wood-ash extract, Hematotoxicity, Mus musculus, Safety profileAbstract
Traditional ethnomedicine often utilizes non-timber plant derivatives like wood ash, yet their long-term toxicological boundaries remain largely uncharacterized. This study evaluated the subchronic (90-day) and chronic (180-day) hematological impacts of aqueous wood-ash extracts from Azadirachta indica and Parkia biglobosa using a murine model. Male Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus) were randomly assigned to seven groups (n = 10/group) and orally administered distilled water (control) and varying concentrations (5, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight) of A. indica and P. biglobosa extract daily. Comprehensive hematological profiles were analyzed via retro-orbital phlebotomy at days 90 and 180. Subchronic exposure to both extracts significantly (P < 0.05) increased packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin (HGB) at 100 mg/kg, accompanied by localized leukocyte alterations. Particularly, chronic 180-day exposure induced a pronounced, dose-dependent polycythemic effect across all treatment cohorts, marked by marked elevations in red blood cell (RBC) counts, PCV, and HGB, alongside shifted erythrocyte indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC). Conversely, chronic administration of both extracts caused significant, severe thrombocytopenia (P < 0.05). Furthermore, P. biglobosa induced systemic, persistent leukopenia (3.40±0.06 X 103 / μL vs. 4.53±0.15 X 103 / μL in controls), whereas high-dose A. indica stimulated leukopoiesis. Although both wood-ash extracts possess potent erythropoietic-stimulating activities likely mediated by antioxidant phytocompounds, their chronic administration triggers critical systemic hematotoxicity characterized by thrombocytopenia and line-specific leukocyte suppression. These findings establish strict safety thresholds and caution against unregulated, long-term therapeutic consumption of these ethnomedicinal preparations.
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