Myelo-protective and haematopoietic effects of seed extract fractions of Phoenix dactylifera in Wistar rats

Myelo-protective and haematopoietic effects of seed extract fractions (SEF) of Phoenix dactylifera were investigated in Wistar rats. The acute toxicity of the SEF were determined in mice (n=12). Wistar rats (n=45), aged 2 to 3 months and weighing 150 to 220 g were grouped into 9, labeled (A to I). Groups A to D were intraperitoneally-induced for myelo-suppression with 3 mg/kg bodyweight (b.wt) of cyclophosphamide for 7 days. Groups A to Horally received graded-doses of SEF (A = (SEF1)100, B = (SEF1) 200, C = (SEF2) 100, D = (SEF2) 200, E = (SEF1) 100, F = (SEF1) 200, G = (SEF2) 100, and H = (SEF2) 200 mg/kg b.wt) for 21 days. Group I served as control. Blood samples (2.0 ml) were collected from each rat on days 8 and 15 into tri-potassium ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid anticoagulant containers and analyzed using haematological auto analyzer (Sysmex KX-21N) following manufacturers guideline. Bone marrow was collected from myelo-suppressed groups (B, D) and normal groups (F, H) on days 15 and 22 into fetal calf serum for cell count. The acute toxicity test revealed an oral LD50 of 2000 mg/kg b.wt. The SEF revealed flavonoids, saponins, tannin, proteins, reducing sugars and steroids. On day 8, the myelo-suppressed and normal groups revealed dose-dependentnon significant increase (p > 0.05) in haemoglobin, haematocrit, RBC and total WBC compared to control. On day 15, the myelo-suppressed and normal groups revealed doseand time-dependent significant increase (p<0.05) in haemoglobin, haematocrit, RBC and total WBC and significant decrease (p < 0.05) in bone marrow cells of group B compared to control. Day 22 revealed significant increase (p < 0.05) in bone marrow cells of groups B, D, F and H compared to control. The observed effects indicate myeloprotective and haemopoietic potentials of the SEF in Wistar rats.