Effect of methanol extract of <i>Tridax procumbens</i> flower on hematological parameters and serum lipid profiles of Wistar albino rats

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of the methanolic extract of Tridax procumbens L. flower on the hematological and serum lipid profile of Albino Wistar rats. Ten male albino Wistar rats were obtained and divided into two groups (control and test). The flowers were extracted by cold maceration using methanol. The extract was then administered orally to the Test group at a dose of 100 mg/kg/d. Thereafter, blood samples were obtained from both groups and the hematological and serum lipid parameters were analyzed using auto-analyzers. The results of the hematological parameters obtained for Test group were; PCV-46.2%, Hemoglobin-14.656 g/dl, Platelets-141.08 mm3, Eosinophil-4.0%, Neutrophil-38%, Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)-35.532pg, Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)-32.11gl and Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)-108.658 ft, which were higher compared to the Control; while that of the serum lipid profiles were determined to be; Cholesterol-142.58 mg/dl,Triglycerides-157.58 mg/dl, HDL-56.72 mg/dl, LDL-55.944 mg/dl and VLDL-31.516 mg/dl. The plants were seen to have slight weight reducing activity, no significant effect on total white blood cell count, increased eosinophils, neutrophils, packed cell volume, platelet count, mean corpuscular  hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), HDL, and reduced LDL, VLDL,triglycerides, cholesterol on the rats tested. Hence, from this study, this plant can serve as a good candidate to be used as a hematinic agent, as  weight reducers, and a lipid lowering agent. Keywords: Tridax procumbens, Wistar rat, HDL, LDL MCV, MCHC