Effect of Methanol Extract of Brassica Oleracea on Body Weight and Hematological Parameters in Rabbits

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of methanol extract of Brassica oleracea var. capitata on body weight and hematological parameters in rabbits. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 28 healthy white rabbits of either sex. All animals were equally divided into four groups. Animals of test groups were administered methanolic extract of Brassica oleracae in three different concentrations example 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight respectively for 30 days. Whereas animals of normal control group received normal saline 1 ml/day equivalent to the volume of doses given to test animals. Body weights were recorded weekly on weighing machine. Hematological assay was performed twice once at 16th day and then at the end of dosing that is at 31st day. Results: Administration of methanolic extract of Brassica oleracae for a period of 30 days resulted in dose dependent gradual decrease in mean body weight. The reduction was significant (6% P value <0.05 ) at the dose of 300 mg/kg body weight while highly significant (14% P value < 0.01) at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight. Hematological assay performed at 16th day showed significant decrease in platelet count as compared to the normal control group at the doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight. Whereas the decrease in platelet count was significant (P<0.05) as compared to the control group at the dose of 300 mg/kg body weight while highly significantly (P<0.01) at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight at 31st. day on hematological examination. Conclusion: Methanolic extract of Brassica oleracae exhibited weight reducing effect in rabbits and decreased the number of platelets in blood.