Journal of Advances in Microbiology

This study is design to ascertain the hematological status in albino mice treated with Justicia carnea leave, which could aid in the treatment of anemia. The hematological parameters investigated include Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH), Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Platelets (PLTS), Hemoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cells (RBCs), Pack Cell Volume (PCV) and White Blood Cells (WBCs). Nine (9) male albino mice of approximately the same weight 300 g were grouped into 3 groups that’s Negative Control (NC) Positive Control (PC) and Test Control (TC), each made up of 3 mice. Negative control mice were given normal feed moisten with water,  Positive control received diluted iron folate with normal feed, finally Test control mice were  administered powdered leaves of Justicia carnea with normal feed for 7 days, after which blood samples were collected using EDTA tubes by exsanguination and run for hematological parameters using auto-hematological analyzer. The results of various groups were found to be; as there was a significant increase in RBCs, Hb, & PCV (P=0.05), between the groups. No significant change was observed on the MCV, MCH, and MCHC. Lymphocytosis was observed in all groups with mark difference in granulocytosis. TC had granulocytosis, NC showed normal granulocyte scores and the PC show granulocytopenia with a statistical difference of P=0.0017. A significant difference was seen in platelets between the groups P=0.02. This study shows that J. carnea leaves possess anti-anemic potential, lending credence to the use of these plant leaves in folk medicine for the management of hemolytic anemia would be helpful. Further research on the various phytochemicals of the plant should be done and also its toxicological aspects.