ABSTRACT
Ficus carica leaf is among the commonly
consumed leafy vegetables in Nigeria. Aqueous extracts of the leaves had been
found to exert anti-diabetic effects in rats. Ficus carica on hematology parameters of wistar Albino rats. Six
rats with an average weight of 58g+5.19g were randomly distributed into three
groups, A, B and C. Group A served as the control and thus received 0mg/kg body
weight of the extract. Group B and C served as treatments 1 and 2. Treatment 1
and 2 received 400 mg/ml and 800mg/ml body weight doses of the extract
respectively orally. Treatment lasted for 14 days. The result obtained reveals
that the extract has a statistically significant doses-dependent effect on
hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume. However; while 800mg/kg body
weight of the extract had a positive effect on the weight of the animals,
400mg/kg weight of the extract had a negative effects on the weight of the
animals. The implication of this finding is that this extract can help those
trying to manage their body weight to either loss or gain weight. Finally, the
study recommends that further research is needed to ascertain the mechanism of
weight gain observed with the administration of 800mg/kg body weight.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
OF THE STUDY
Ficus carica (Moraceae) comprises one of the largest
genera of angiosperms with more than 800 species of trees, shrubs,
hemiepiphytes, climbers, and creepers in the tropics and subtropics worldwide
(Frodin, 2004). This genus is an important genetic resource due to its high
economic and nutritional values and also an important part of the bio-diversity
in the rainforest ecosystem. It is also a good source of food for fruit-eating
animals in tropical areas (Slantnar et al,
2011).The genus is divided into six subgenera based on preliminary morphology.
The monoecious subgenus Urostigma is the largest with about 280 species
all inclusive, and most of them display distinctive hemiepiphytic habits. Ficus
includes 23 species of hemiepiphytes and lithophytes which produce aerial
and creeping root systems (Ronsted et al,
2008).
Ficus carica L. is an important member of the genus Ficus.
It is ordinarily deciduous and commonly referred to as “fig”. The common
fig is a tree native to southwest Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, and it is
one of the first plants that were cultivated by humans. The fig is an important
harvest worldwide for its dry and fresh consumption. Its common edible part is
the fruit which is fleshy, hollow, and receptacle (Duenas et al, 2008). The dried fruits of F. carica have been
reported as an important source of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, sugars,
organic acids, and phenolic compounds (Vinson et al, 2005). The fresh and dried figs also contain high amounts of
fiber and polyphenols (Vinson, 1999). Figs are an excellent source of phenolic
compounds, such as proanthocyanidins, whereas red wine and tea, which are two
good sources of phenolic compounds, contain phenols lower than those in fig
(Hossein and Iighar, 2011). Its fruit, root, and leaves are used in traditional
medicine to treat various ailments such as gastro intestinal (colic,
indigestion, loss of appetite, and diarrhea), respiratory (sore throats,
coughs, and bronchial problems), and cardiovascular disorders and as
anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic remedy (Werbach, 1993).
F. carica L. belongs to the order of Urticales and family of
Moraceae with over 1400 species classified into about 40 genera (Baraket et al, 2009). A number of them are
functionally female and produce only a seed-bearing fruit, whereas others are
functionally male and produce only pollen and pollen-carrying wasp progeny
(Duke et al, 2002). The species of F.
carica are shrubs or small trees and deciduous. Its roots are not
adventitious, and the barks are grayish and slightly roughened. The leaves are
stipulated and etiolated with obovate, nearly orbiculate or ovate leaf blade,
palmately lobed, cordate base, undulate or irregularly dentate margin, acute to
obtuse apex, and scabrous-pubescent surfaces.
F. carica has been cultivated for a long time in various places
worldwide for its edible fruit. It is supposed to originate from Western Asia
and spread to the Mediterranean by humans. It is also an imperative world crop
today. Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Spain, Greece, California, Italy, Brazil, and
other places with typically mild winters and hot dry summers are the major
producers of edible figs (Kirtikar and
Basu, 1995). Fruits can be eaten raw, dried, canned, or in other
preserved forms (Khare, 2007).
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Haemtological studies are useful in the
diagnosis of many diseases as well as investigation of the extent of damage to
blood (Kirtikar et al., 1995). Haematological parameters are good
indicators of the physiological status of animals (Khare, 2004). Haematological
parameters are those parameters that are related to the blood and blood forming
organs (Werbach, 1993). Blood act as a pathological reflector of the status of
exposed animals to toxicant and other conditions (Oliveira et al., 2010).
As reported by Gond and Khadabadi. (2008)
animals with good blood composition are likely to show good performance. Laboratory
tests on the blood are vital tools that help detect any deviation from normal
in the animal or human body (Oliveira et
al, 2009). The examination of blood gives the opportunity to investigate
the presence of several metabolites and other constituents in the body of
animals and it plays a vital role in the physiological, nutrition and
pathological status of an organism (Aref, 2011; Devaraj et al, 2008). According to Oliveira et al. (2010) examining
blood for their constituents can provide important information for the
diagnosis and prognosis of diseases in animals. Blood constituents change in
relation to the physiological conditions of health (Kirtikar and Basu, 1995). These changes
are of value in assessing response of animals to various physiological
situations (Kirtikar et al., 1995).
According to Aref et al (2011),
changes in haematological parameters are often used to determine various status
of the body and to determine stresses due to environmental, nutritional and/or
pathological factors.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The general objective of this work is to
investigate/assess the effect of Ficus
carica on hematology parameters of Albino rats.
1.3.1 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
i.
To
extract active components of Ficus carica
using ethanol.
ii.
To
administer the extract on white albino rats.
iii.
To
determine the effect of the extract on hemoglobin level of the rats
iv.
To
determine the effect of the extract on packed cell volume
v.
To
determine the effect of the extract on Hb/PCV ratio of the experimental
animals.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The information from this research would
guide consumers of Ficus carica on
how its consumption affects the human body.
The research will also add to the body of
knowledge and information existing about the effect of Ficus carica on hematology parameters.
1.5 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
Various factors contributed in affecting the
researcher’s comprehensiveness and totality in carrying out the study. Among
these factors include, scarcity of relevant materials on the issue due to its
continuous evolving nature, financial constraints, and time constraint. Despite
the above mentioned short comings and hindrances, the research study no doubt
turned out to be successful.
No worthwhile research venture comes without
challenges. This study faced the limiting challenge of air drying the Ficus carica leaf without direct
sunlight. The first sample collected could not be made use of because they were
contaminated with fungi and grew moldy during the drying period. This sample
was discarded, subsequent sample collected was dried in an area with lots of
ventilation away from direct sunlight.
DOWNLOAD FULL MATERIAL