Effect of Nsukka Red Palm Oil on Haematological Parameters of Paracetamol Treated Albino Wister Rats

Introduction

Paracetamol is a commonly used analgesic and antipyretic which is considered save at therapeutic dose, Paracetamol is categorized as a mild analgesic which is commonly used for the relief of headaches and other minor aches and pains, it also form major ingredient in numerous cold and flu remedies Currently, the major source of world palm oil production is from South- East Asia, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia [1, 2] though history has it that they collected the seeds from Nigeria. Today about seventeen countries produces palm oil worldwide Malaysia and Indonesia account for about 85% of global palm oil production where 4.5 million earn a living from palm oil, Nigeria is a leading producer of palm oil in Africa and also among the top five producer of this producer in the world [3] but Nsukka red palm oil has been commended in terms of quality and taste.

The health benefits of red palm oil (RPO) have been recapitulated in several animal feeding experiments where RPO has conferred beneficial signaling and biochemical manifestations, such as boost in anti-oxidant potential, control of inflammation, preservation of viability and evasion of apoptosis/necrosis. Studies have also shown that RPO consumption has protective effect against ischemic damage [4]. These health benefits of RPO are due to its unique composition as it contains a balanced saturated (SFA) and unsaturated fatty acids in approximately 1:1 ratio, - 51% SFA, 38% monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and 11% polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). Also, it is a cocktail of bio-available minor nutrients such as tocopherols and tocotrienols, squalene, phytosterols, coenzyme Q10, carotenoids like β-carotene and lycopene [5].

African RPO, Nsukka oil inclusive has been shown to contain Iron(mg) -5.6, Calories -746, Protein(%)-2.2 Fat (%)-81.9, Carotene (ug) -50,680.6, Times >14.6 Thiamine (mg) -0.35, Fiber (%)-3.8, Ascorbic Acid (mg)-12.5, Ash (%)-1.3, Niacin (mg)-1.81, Calcium (mg)-136.1, Riboflavin (mg)-0.17, Phosphorus (mg)-61.1 per 100g with varying percentages of fatty acids [5] and nutritional content as Iron (mg)-5.5, Calories-882, Fat (%)- 99.6, Carotene (ug) -27,417.1, Carbohydrate (%)-0.4, Calcium (mg)-7.0, Riboflavin (mg)- 0.03, Phosphorus (mg)-8.0 per 100g. No wonder red palm oils has being named as the most consumed vegetable oil across the globe [6, 7, 8, 9].

Blood is an essential component of the human body that occurs in fluid form and is about 5Liters in an adult [10]. It is made up of plasma which is about 55%, consisting of water protein and some waste product, while the rest 45% of the blood is composed of the cell components of which there are three major cell types, the red blood cell, white blood cell and platelets [11]. All blood cells are produced from pleuripotential stem cell (multi potential stem cell) in the bone marrow which undergoes series of differentiation until it becomes a committed stem cell for the production of thrombocyte, leukocyte or erythrocytes [12].

Full blood count and deferential WBC count is one of the most commonly used blood testing procedure used in diagnosing various pathological conditions, it gives information about the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood through assaying RBC count, hematocrits and hemoglobin level of blood, it also gives information about immunity through the assay of white blood cell count and differentials. These tests are of importance in diagnosing anemia, certain cancers, infections, acute hemorrhagic state, allergies and immunodeficiency diseases as well as monitoring of side effects of certain drugs [13, 14].

Methodology

Twenty albino wister rats weighing between 120-160g where purchase from human physiology department of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria animal house, and were kept under suitable laboratory condition in an aluminum wire gauze cage two weeks prior to the commencement of the experiment for acclimatization, and throughout the duration of the experiment, the animals were allowed free access to water and feed (vital feed growers).

Animals were divided into four groups, five animals in each group. Group One- Control group (distil water only). Group Two- animals were administered 3g/kg body weight parocetamol (48hours) to induce hepatotoxicity using Ajibade, et al. [15]. Group Three- animals were administered 1ml of palm oil for seven days and 3g/kg body weight of paracetamol on day 5 of the experiment. Group four- animals were administered with 2 ml palm oil for seven days and 3g/kg body weight of paracetamol on day 5 of the experiment.

On day eight of the experiment after animals has undergone an overnight fast, the animals were anesthetized using chloroform before they were sacrificed, and blood was withdrawn directly from the heart and were collected into heparinized bottles for hematological analysis [16]. The haematological analyses were carried out according to the methods of Ochei & Kolhatka [17] for red blood cells, white blood cells and differential white blood cells.

For statistical analysis, values are presented as means ± SE of the mean. Comparisons between different groups were carried out by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. SPSS was used for statistical analyses.

Discussion

The hematological parameter for white blood cell count and red blood cell count showed significant changes because there was significant increase in the number of red blood cell and white blood cell in the groups given palm oil compared to the control group and paracetamol group. Elevation of white blood cells indicates presence of infection, inflammation or neuroses, leukocytosis may also occur as a result of physical or emotional stress [12], which could be the reason for elevated WBC count in this study because rats were subjected to force feeding with red palm oil for seven days while elevated RBC count as seen in this study might be as a result of erythrocytosis which is an increase in red blood cell production [17], this is an indication that red palm oil might possess the ability of increasing the process of erythropoiesis by stimulating erythropoietin production in the kidneys. It also buttress the role of red palm oil in improving wellbeing [18, 19].

Conclusion

Nsukka red palm oil (RPO) is helpful in the management of paracetamol induced toxicity in the area of haematological parameters. Notably, the effect of red palm oil on white blood cell count and red blood cell count which shows an increase in these hematological parameters could be an indication that Nsukka RPO could improve hematopoiesis. It is recommendable to use Nsukka RPO as an additive in the management of paracetamol toxicity and drugs overdose.

More research is encouraged in the studies with red palm oil and haematological parameters and drug toxicity knowing fully well that RPO is one basic ingredient that is not missed in Nsukka food, Nigerian food, and most global food in general. The red palm oil has no enemy and no contraindications [20, 21] associated with the consumption in most aspects of usage as food.