Effect of Chromatographic Fraction of Portulaca Oleracea on Haematological and Plasma Biochemical Parameters in Male Albino Rats

The effect of oral administration of chromatographic fraction of Portulaca oleracea at doses of 1 mg/kg BW, 2 mg/kg BW and 3 mg/kg BW on haematological and plasma biochemical parameters of albino rats were investigated. The fraction was administered on daily basis for 30 days and blood samples were collected for analyses. Treatment of rats with 1 mg/kg BW and 2 mg/kg BW of fraction caused significant (p<0.05) increases in TWBC and lymphocyte counts respectively relative to their controls, but treatment of rats with 2 mg/kg BW of fraction caused significant (p<0.05) decrease in monocyte count relative to the control. Treatment of rats with all the treatment doses of fraction (1 mg/kg BW, 2 mg/kg BW, 3 mg/kg BW) caused significant (p<0.05) increments in total protein and globulin levels relative to their respective controls, also treatment of rats with all the treatment doses of fraction caused significant (p<0.05) increases in the activities of AST and ALT relative to their respective controls. These findings on haematological and plasma biochemical parameters suggest that the possible changes in blood chemistry of the treated rats were due to the chromatographic fraction of Portulaca oleracea.