Phytochemical Appraisal and Evaluation of Effects of Aqueous Extract of Hypoestes rosea on Haematological Parameters of Acetaminophen – Induced Toxicity in Albino Rats

Hypoestes rosea leaves are in use as traditional medicine in most of the Niger Delta regions of Nigeria and Western part of Cameroun for the treatment of various ailments and diseased conditions such as fever in children, anaemia, malaria in children etc. Despite its uses, there are scanty studies on its phytochemicals and effects on haematological parameters. Therefore, this study investigates its phytochemical appraisal and evaluates effects of aqueous extract of Hypoestes rosea on haematological parameters in acetaminophen - induced toxicity in albino rats. The study objectives are to evaluate the phytochemical composition and haematological effects of crude extract leaves of Hypoestes rosea in albino rats by oral administration. Acetaminophen being a commonly and popularly used analgesic and antipyretic drug, at high doses may be injurious and deleterious to vital organs of the body affecting homeostasis and erythropoiesis. In this study, phytochemical appraisal both qualitative and quantitative of Hypoestes rosea leaves revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids/steroids, saponins, carbohydrates and cardiac glycosides, whereas the effects of aqueous extract of Hypoestes rosea (AEHr) on haematological parameters of acetaminophen induced-toxicity in albino rats were evaluated using acute (15 days) and sub-chronic (30 days) duration of study and study group comprising of prophylactic (pre-treatment) and therapeutic (post- treatment) phases with six experimental groups in each phase. A total of 156 adult apparently healthy albino rats weighing (180-220g) were used for this study, 44 for the toxicity study and 112 rats divided into six experimental groups of extract control (EC), negative control (NC), positive control (PC), AEHr100mg/kg b w., AEHr 200mg/kg b w., and AEHr 300mg/kg b w. groups each of six rats. At the end of the study period, chloroform anaesthesia in a desiccator was done after which blood samples were collected through jugular puncture for haematological parameters (PCV, HB, RBC, WBC & Platelets). Results showed that acetaminophen induction in albino rats caused anaemia as evidenced by significant reduced PCV, HB, RBC and increased WBC levels. P<0.05 in the PC group when compared with other experimental groups. However, various concentrations of aqueous extract of Hypoestes rosea in a dose dependent pattern at the different treatment phases at acute and sub-chronic period was able to restore the anaemia caused by acetaminophen induction to normal. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that Hypoestes rosea have active ingredients and phytochemicals responsible for its erythropoietic properties in rats and should be subjected for further studies using higher mammals.