Efficacious Effect of Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) on Cutaneous Wound Healing and its Haemostatic and Chemical Profile in Adult Male Albino Wistar Rat

Plants and plant extracts have been found very useful for purposes of treatment of disease among other benefits. Cannabis sativa is one of such plants whose effect on wound healing, haemostatic and biochemical profile was studied using albino wistar rats. Canabis sativa is an illicit drug with proven anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-diarrhea activities. This present study is aimed at ascertaining the impact of prolonged administration of cannabis sativa on haemostatic mechanism, cutaneous wound healing and biochemical profile of albino wistar rats. Forty (40) albino wistar rats weighing 180-200g were acclimatized in the animal house for 7 days. After this, they were divided into five groups respectively. Group A was the control male rats (6), Group B was the female control rats (6), Group C (10) was the male test rats and Group D (10) was the femaletest rats and Group E (8) for incision. Group C and D male rats were fed for 30 days with aqueous extract of Canabis sativa before 5.0ml of blood sample was collected from the animals for cardiac puncture and placed in haemogram bottles (EDTA and sodium citrate) for haemostatic analysis and in plain bottles for liver function tests while Group E rats were those with incision made in their skin that received topical treatment of aqueous extract of cannabis sativa and injection for 5days.

Results from the study showed that the extract significantly increased the total and conjugated bilirubin, (P<0.05), liver enzymes; Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Transaminase (AST) and Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Haemoglobin concentrations, Packed cell volume, platelet count and white blood cell count. The bleeding and clotting times,ProthrombintimeandPartialthromboplastin times were shortened compared to their corresponding controls. The incised wounds haled within shorter days than those in control rats. The alterations in the results are manifestation of mild hepatorenal toxicity and anti-hypercholestrolemic effect. These liver enzymes are highly affected by cannabis sativa in females than in males.