EFFECT OF INGESTION OF GARCINIA KOLA SEED ON ERYTHROCYTES IN RABBITS

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect on RBC of ground untreated Garcinia kola seed in rabbits. Twenty four unsexed rabbits with average weight of 842.62+ 57.5g and aged between 42 and 49 days were randomly assigned to four treatments of T1 (control, no bitter kola) T2 (1g bitter kola/kg body weight), T3 (2g bitter kola/kg body weight) and T4(3g bitter kola/kg body weight) in a completely randomized design. Each of the treatments was replicated thrice with two rabbits per replicate. They were given graded levels of bitter kola treatments for four out of seven days weekly for 12 weeks excepting T1. At the end of the experiment blood samples were collected and the red blood cell (RBC) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin concentration values were determined. The results showed that T4 and T3 were highly significant (P<0.01) in heamoglobin concentration. In the same vein T4, T3 and T2 demonstrated highly significant difference (P<0.01) in RBC counts. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in PCV among all the treatments. None of the values fell below the normal physiological range of the experimental animals. This shows that Garcinia kola which has flavonoids as its active constituent can enhance erythropoiesis and as well has no long term significant toxicological implication with respect to the above concentrations.