Assessment of Haematologic Safety and Immunomodulatory Potentials of Aqueous Extracts of Xylopia aethiopica Fruit in Wistar Rats
1 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Enugu State University of Science and Technology College of Medicine/Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.
2 Department of Paediatrics, Alberta Children Hospital, Calgary, Canada.
3 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical and Medical Research, 2025, 09(02), 014-024.
Article DOI: 10.53346/wjapmr.2025.9.2.0037
Publication history:
Received on 02 November 2025; revised on 10 December 2025; accepted on 13 December 2025
Abstract:
Background: Medicinal plants remain an important source of bioactive compounds capable of influencing haematopoiesis and immune function. Xylopia aethiopica (African pepper) is widely used in African ethnomedicine, yet findings on its haematologic effects remain inconsistent.
Objective: This study evaluated the impact of aqueous fruit extract of X. aethiopica on haematologic indices of albino Wistar rats.
Methodology: Twenty-four male rats were randomly assigned into four groups: control and three treatment groups receiving 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg of the extract orally for 28 days. Blood samples collected into EDTA-anticoagulated bottles were analysed using an automated haematology analyser.
Results: Results showed that haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), and red blood cell (RBC) counts exhibited slight, dose-dependent reductions across treatment groups; however, these changes were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), indicating minimal influence on erythropoiesis. In contrast, significant dose-dependent alterations were observed in white blood cell (WBC) and platelet indices. The highest dose (300 mg/kg) significantly increased total WBC count (p = 0.049) and neutrophil percentage (p = 0.038), while producing a significant reduction in lymphocyte percentage (p = 0.041) and platelet count (p = 0.045).
Conclusion: These findings suggest mild immunomodulatory and potential thrombocytopenic effects at higher doses, while erythroid parameters remain largely unaffected. Overall, the aqueous extract of X. aethiopica appears to exert limited effects on red cell indices in healthy rats but may influence leukocyte distribution and platelet levels in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies are recommended to clarify dose and duration dependent effects, extract variations, and responses under pathological conditions.
Keywords:
Xylopia aethiopica; Aqueous extract; Haematologic indices; Wistar rats; Erythropoiesis; White blood cells
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