Haematological Assessments of Cocos nucifera Linn. Water and Oil on Apparently Healthy Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract

In this study, the effects of the consumption of Cocos nucifera L. water and oil on the haematological parameters of apparently healthy wistar albino rats were investigated using standard methods. The albino rats (n= 100) were divided into 8 groups (A-H) of 12 rats each while the remaining four rats were put in another group to serve as control. The first four groups(A-D) were daily orogastrically administered different volumes of coconut oil, 0.5 ml, 1.0 ml, 1.5 ml, 2.0 ml respectively for 4 weeks while groups E-H were daily orogastrically administered different volumes of coconut water, 0.5 ml, 1.0 ml, 1.5 ml, 2.0 ml respectively for four weeks. The control rats (Group l) however were not administered either coconut water or coconut oil. All the rats were allowed free access to rat chow and water. The administration of either of the coconut water or oil caused a significant increase (p≤0.05) in the PCV, WBC and the differential leukocytes counts within the four weeks of this study with coconut water having higher effect. It is conceivable that the consumption of either coconut water or coconut oil could exert both hematinic and immuno-stimulatory effects in the consumers to checkmate low PCV and also boost innate immunity.