Title: Assessment of the Effects of Fresh Palm Oil, Natron (Kanwa) and Natron-Treated Palm Oil on Some Hematological Parameters in Wistar Rats
Authors: Celestine.O. Ani, Matthwe. J. Olasunkanmi, Chidiebere.B. Ene, Paschal.U.Chime, Chidozie O. Onwuka, Jovita .E. Egharevba, Ekanem .E.Ime, Joan. A.Ighodalo, Agu .F.Uchenna
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i6.212
Abstract
The effect of fresh palm oil, natron (kanwa) and natron-treated palm oil on some hematological parameters were assessed in wistar rats. Twenty- four wistar rats of different sexes weighing between 123-217g were divided into four groups of six (6) rats each. Group A served as a normal control and received normal saline and feed as placebo. Groups B, C and D received 5ml/kg body weight (BW) of fresh palm oil, 5ml/kg bw of 3% natron solution only and 5ml/kg of 3% natron-treated palm oil respectively. They were provided with commercial rats’ chow and water ad libitium. Their body weights and some hematological parameters (RBC, WBC, HB, PCV and PLATELETS) were assessed prior to the commencement of the experiment and weekly for three weeks (21 days). Result of the study shows that the control group (6.03±0.17) x1012/L was significantly (P<0.05) higher than all the groups B (5.5±0.17) x1012/L, c (4.93±0.69) x1012/L and D (4.37±0.28) x1012/L respectively. The packed cell volume (PCV) of group A (43.5±0.76) % was significantly (P<0.05) increased more than group B (31.0± 1.46)%, C (30.83±0.43)% and D (28.0±1.07)% respectively. Also, the hemoglobin (HB) concentration of the control group A (14.46±0.28) g/dl was significantly (P<0.05) higher group D (11.5±0.25), B (11.15V0.45) and group C (10.36±0.45) g/dl respectively. The white blood cell (WBC) of the control group A (4.38±0.26) was significantly (P>0.05) lower than all the groups and there was no significant difference between the control group A and other groups. The group that received 5ml/kg body weight of 3% natron only had the highest mortality rate before the termination of the experiment than other groups and increased body weights more than other groups while group B had no mortality and had the lowest body weights. Therefore, the result of this study shows that chronic consumption of natron (kanwa) in our diets can result in increase in body weight, coronary heart failure due to arthrosclerosis caused as a result of plaque deposition and should be discouraged. Therefore, the study suggests that the adverse effects of this diet be properly studied in other physiological indices in human models.
Keywords: Natron (kanwa), fresh palm oil, natron-treated palm oil, blood parameters, body weights.