Peter Ori Odu^1*, Agona Odeh Obembe², Akinjide Moses Akinnuga¹, Sikirullai Olatunde Jeje1

¹Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Cross River University of Technology, Okuku Campus, Yala, Cross River State, Nigeria

²Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

Email: odupeterori@gmail.com

Tel: +23480 3686 5949

Introduction: There are reports on how Cannabis sativa (CS) affect most of the body organs and systems.

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the effects of consumption of CS on haematological parameters.

Materials and Methods :Fifteen male rats weighing 200-220g were divided into 3 groups. Control group, administered 0.1ml/kg normal saline; Low dose (LD) group and High Dose (HD) group, administered 0.1mg/kg and 0.2mg/kg aqueous extract of CS respectively. The oral administration lasted for 28 days and blood samples were obtained via cardiac puncture for haematological parameter analysis.

Results :There was significant increase in the level of erythrocyte (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and Granulocytes count in LD and HD compared to the control. Total leukocytes (TLC), Monocytes and Lymphocytes counts in LD were significantly increased compared to control and HD groups. Platelet count decreased significantly in LD when compared to HD and control. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) decreased significantly in the LD compared to the control. There was no significant difference in Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC).

Conclusion : This study revealed that low dose of CS enhanced RBC and TLC productions. However, at high dose, CS increased susceptibility to infections due to immature blood cells production.

Keywords :Cannabis, Haematological Parameters, Rats, Consumption, Marijuana, India Hemp