Influence of Helleborus odorus W. et K. underground parts extracts on red blood pictures of Wistar rats

This paper presents the results of investigations of parameter values of the red blood cell count in Wistar rats, after intramuscular application of rhizome and root extract of Helleborus odorus W. et K (HE). The trial was conducted in experimental conditions on 49 Wistar rats divided into 7 groups with 7 animals per unit (control and six experimental groups). The control group was treated by an intramuscular injection of sterile saline (0.25 ml/100 g BM). For the purpose of determing the duration of the HE effects, the animals were injected with a dose of 10 mg/100 g BMand blood was collected by cardial taps after 24, 48 and 72 hrs. Moreover, we investigated the influence of elevated temperatures on the noted HE extract effects, 24 hrs after the application of the inactivated (56oC 30 min) or denaturized (100oC 5 min) extract, as well as the influence of dialyzed HE. The obtained results of haematological analyses have pointed out the weak hemolyses activity of the extract. In all experimental groups, the erythrocyte count was decreased, but remained within reference values. Haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit values in the experimental and the control groups of rats were decreased in comparison to the physiological values, while the applied extract did not significantly affect the examined parameters.