Chronic Toxicity Study of Aqueous Roots Extract of Rauvolfia vomitoria AFZEL on Haematological Parameters in Wistar Rats

Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel. (Apocynaceae) is a plant used in traditional medicine in Côte d'Ivoire for the treatment of several conditions. This work aims to evaluate the effects of repeated oral administration of the aqueous roots extract Rauvolfia vomitoria AFZEL (AERv) on haematological parameters in Wistar rats. Thus, 100 healthy rats were divided into four groups (T, A, B, C) of 20 rats each. The sub groups Ts and Cs from the groups T and C included 10 rats (5 males and 5 females) were formed for a reversibility study. After 6 months (180 days) of the experiment, the sub groups rats Ts and Cs were no more treated with the extract till the 210th day (7 months), day of their sacrifice to verify the reversibility and/or delayed effects of AERv. The erythrocyte, platelet and leukocyte parameters were determined. Results showed that AERv caused a significant decrease in erythrocyte and thrombocyte parameters with the high dose (1000 mg/kg bw) while an increase in leukocyte parameters was noted in a dose-dependent manner. The aqueous extract of the barkless roots is not harmful at the therapeutic dose of 700 mg/kg bw on the haematological parameters. After stoping administration the effects were reversible.