Abstract

Cucurbita maxima (locally called pumpkin plant) are widely used in North West region of Cameroon as indigenous medicine and food for the management of anemia since time immemorial. The current study of this plant was undertaken to establish the effect of this plant on hematological parameters of albino rats and also to attempt to ascertain its safety for use. For this purpose, 25 g/day powdered plant in the ratio of 1:2 with the normal feed was given orally to the test mice1 tablet of Irofolate (200 mg of ferrous sulphate and 0.25 mg of folic acid) moistened in 25 g normal feed was administered orally/day to the positive control mice and the normal feed (25 g) moistened with clean water was administered orally/day to the negative control. All rats were observed daily for up to six days for clinical signs of physiological abnormalities. Twenty four hours following the last administration, all rats were killed and examined for gross pathological lesions and blood samples collected for hematological parameters. Hematological parameters showed a significant difference amongst the test group mice compared with the control group mice.

Keywords: Cucurbita maxima; Pumpkin; Albino rats; Hematological; HB; PCV; Cameroon