Hematological Parameters and Lipid Profile Changes in Albino Rats due to Administration of Ethanol Extract of Ipomea batatas Leaves

Leaves of I. batatas have been implicated in both the hematopoietic process and in the management of hyperlipidemia in man. The current study evaluated the hematopoietic potentials and the lipid profile stabilizing potential of ethanol leaf extract of I. batatas in albino rats. The study was carried out at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, between March 2019 and October 2019. The determination of the phytochemical composition of the leaves was carried out. Sixteen albino rats weighing between 100-150g were randomly distributed into 4 groups of 4 rats each. Animals in group 1 served as the control while animals in groups 2, 3, and 4 served as the test groups and were administered 200, 300 and 400g/kg body weight respectively of ethanol leaf extract of I batata for fourteen days following standard procedures. The extract contained terpenoids in high amount, flavonoids and alkaloids in moderate amounts, while glycosides, phenolic, and steroids were present in low amounts. WBC counts increased significantly across the test groups compared to the control. PLT decreased significantly (P = 0.05) in all the test groups when compared to the control group. MCV increased significantly (P = 0.05) in all the test groups when compared to the control group. MCH increased significantly (P = 0.05) in group 2 but decreased significantly in groups 3 and 4 when compared to the control group. The lipid profile parameters; triglycerides (TAG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) showed no significant changes but HDL-C decreased significantly in group 4 compared to the control. The outcome of this study revealed that the ethanol leaves extract of I. batatas may possess a hematopoietic effect but may not be effective in the management of hyperlipidemia.