EFFICACY OF EUPHORBIA HIRTA (TAWA-TAWA) EXTRACT IN THE PREVENTION OF CYCLOPHOSPHOPHAMIDE-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN RATS

ABSTRACT: Euphorbia hirta, locally known as "tawa-tawa" has been suggested in various animal researches to have medicinal properties including antidiarrheal, antimalarial and anti-asthma. Studies have not established anti-thrombocytopenic effect, however, folkoric use has indicated the plant in use for dengue. The research set out to determine the efficacy of Euphorbia hirta lyophilized extract in preventing thrombocytopenia induced by cyclophosphamide in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Forty rats were given cyclophosphamide 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 3 consecutive days. Out of the 40, 30 were divided into 3 groups of 10 and administered with varying amounts of E. hirtalyophilizedextract through oral garvage. The 3 experimental groups were divided into high (100 mg/kg), medium ( 50 mg/kg), and low (25 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected though tail snipping on the 1st day, for baseline values of platelet count, and on the 6th day for post-treatment values. Blood smears were read manually. Twenty-five percent remained alive on the 6th day; 4 controls, 4 low, I medium, and 1 high. Using paired t-test for statistical analysis of the results, there was a statistically significant decrease in the platelet count )p<0.01) before and after treatment of the extract. Across the three experimental groups, no significant differences were found in the mean platelet counts before and after treatment in the high (p>0.01) medium (p>0.01), and low (p>0.01) groups. Due to the 75% mortality of the test subjects, sufficient conclusions could not be drawn.

Department of Pharmacology