Haematological and antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of <i>Citrullus lanatus</i> leaves in acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress

Acetaminophen is a commonly used analgesic and antipyretic; however, overdose could cause oxidative stress related hepato-toxicity. The present study investigated the haematological and antioxidant effects of C.lanatus methanolic leaf extract in rats induced with acetaminophen. Rats were divided into five groups. Normal control group was not induced and not treated, negative control group was induced with acetaminophen and untreated; while group 3, 4 and 5 were induced with acetaminophen and treated with methanolic extracts of C. lanatus (at 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg of body weight respectively). Malondialdehyde, SOD, glutathione (GSH) and catalase in hepatic supernatant were determined. While PCV, haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell and red blood cell count were determined to elucidate the haematological effects. The results were analyzed using ANOVA and LSD test (SPSS V.20). The results showed that the administration of methanol extract of C. lanatus significantly (p < 0.05) increased catalase and GSH levels. The reduction in malondialdehyde level was not statistically significant while; SOD levels remained unchanged across all groups. A significant increase in PCV and haemoglobin concentration, red blood cells count and white blood cell count were observed in the treatment groups. This study demonstrated the antioxidant and haematological potential of C. lanatus leaves.