Erythropoietic, hematinic and leucocytic activities of the aqueous extracts of the fruits and leaves of Solanum torvum

The Turkey berry (Solanum torvum) plant is globally exploited for its medicinal and pharmacological benefits. This study was conducted to investigate the erythropoietic, hemanitic and leucocytic activities of the aqueous extracts of the fruits and leaves of Solanum torvum. Three groups of rabbits with five replicates each (aged 6-8 weeks) where either given the aqueous extracts of fresh turkey berry fruits, fresh turkey berry leafs, or distilled water at a dose of 0.5ml and a concentration of 100g of leaf or fruit against 100ml of distilled water (1g per 1ml of distilled water) per day over a six-week period. The rabbits were fed ad libitum with concentrate and water throughout the experimental period. A full blood count (FBC) using a BC 2600 hematology analyzer was conducted on the collected blood samples of the experimental animals at the end of the sixth week of extract administration. The blood samples of the rabbits given the aqueous extracts of the fruit and leaf of turkey berry at the end of the six weeks of treatment administration showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in red blood cell count, hemoglobin level, white blood cell count and hematocrit. The results indicated that Solanum torvum had a positive erythropoietic, hemanitic and leucocytic properties. This implies that Solanum torvum is effective in improving the quality of blood and hence can prevent some hematological disorders.