African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (7), pp. 679-681, July 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Short Communication

Suitability of the leaf extract of Jatropha gossypifolia as an anticoagulant for biochemical and haematological analyses

T. Oduola¹*, O. G AVWIORO², T. B AYANNIYI¹

¹Department of Haematology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile – Ife Nigeria.

²Department of Histopathology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile – Ife, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author’s E-Mail: oduolataofeeq@yahoo.com.

Accepted 16 March, 2005

The extract of Jatropha gossypifolia leaf was obtained by crushing the leaf in a mortal and the fluid expressed out. The suitability of the leaf extract as an anticoagulant for biochemical and haematological analyses was determined. The anticoagulant effect of the extract was found to be highest at a concentration of 0.1 ml per ml of blood. Blood tubes with dried leaf extract at the stated concentration were used for obtaining plasma. Mean plasma glucose values obtained from fluoride oxalate plasma were compared with values obtained from dried leaf extract plasma. The values obtained for biochemical parameters with the exception of bicarbonate from the leaf extract plasma samples were significantly higher (P<0.05) than values obtained from conventional anticoagulants. The leaf extract was later found to contain each of these parameters in high concentrations. The results of heamatological parameters obtained from the leaf extract and those of the dipotassium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid were comparable. The leaf extract is suitable as an anticoagulant for heamatological analysis but must be purified to remove interfering substances for it to be suitable for biochemical analysis.

Key words: Jatropha gossypifolia, anticoagulants, analysis.