EFFECT OF WHEAT GRASS (Triticum aestivum) ON HEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND BODY WEIGHT IN RABBIT

Abstract

This research work was conducted at animal research shed in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science & Technology University, Dinajpur for a period of 45 days. The experiment was undertaken to investigate the effect of wheat grass on hemato-biochemical parameters and body weight in rabbit. Wheat grass is rich source of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids and many enzymes. The vital component of wheat grass is chlorophyll about 70% that helps in building hemoglobin in body. Twenty rabbits 4 months of age and weighing about 1200-1500 gm were acclimatized for 2 weeks and then randomly assigned into four groups (T0, T1, T2 and T3) and (n=5). Group T0 was kept for control group and rabbit of T1, T2, T3 group were kept as treated groups. Then chopped wheat grass supplementation was given to the group T1, T2 and T3 at the dose rate of 3 gm, 5 gm, 7 gm/kg body weight respectively for 45 days. On day 15, 30, 45 the blood samples were collected and analyzed for hemoglobin, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cell count (RBC), Total Leucocyte Count (TLC), Differential Leucocyte Count (DLC), Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT) and body weight gain from 0-45 days were calculated and statistically analyzed. There was significant (P>0.05) improvement in hemoglobin concentration, PCV, RBC, TLC, DLC count and in the group receiving wheat grass compare to control group and highest value was found in group T2 but statistically not significant (P<0.05). After treatment with chopped wheat grass there was significant (P<0.05) decrease in ESR, SGPT, SGOT level in all treated group compare to control and lowest value was found in group T2 but statistically not significant (P<0.05). Wheat grass did not produce any significant (P<0.05) effect on body weight of rabbit. The results of this study reveals that wheat grass supplementation improved the hematological picture as well as liver function tests .This results of this study show the immunostimulant effects of wheat grass .Oral administration of wheat grass @ 5 gm/kg body weight (Group T2) may be good for building blood, for adjuvant therapy in anemia treatment and health improving adjuvant in liver disorders.