Abstract
The leaves of Justicia carnae were screened for a hematological and biochemical response using serum enzyme activities in rats. Twenty-five rats were used in this research and were grouped into 5 of 5 rats each. Group 1 was a negative control group and was treated with distilled water. Groups 2 entreated anaemic, 3, 4 and 5 were treatment groups and received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the J. carnae extract, respectively. Anaemic was induced with Phenylhydrazine (PHZ). The rats were treated for 14 days, thereafter was sacrificed and blood collected from the heart for analysis. The effect of J. carnae extract was checked on hematological parameters and serum enzyme activities. All results in treatment groups were compared with the untreated anaemic group 2 at statistical confidence p<0.05. The normal control group saved as a reference point. There was a progressive elevation of haematological parameters as the dose of the extract increased from 100, 200, to 400 mg/kg body weight compared to the untreated anaemic group. Hematological parameters, PCV, RBC, Haemoglobin increased significantly at (p<0.05). Total leukocyte count elevated but not significant. Differential leukocyte count indicated very mild lymphopenia neutrophilia, monocytopenia, and eosinopenia but were not significant. Clinical biochemical parameters, AST, ALT and ALP showed slight decrease but not significant. Creatinine, total protein, urea, and bilirubin mildly increased as the dose of the extract increased but within normal range and so was not statistically significant. The MCV, MCH and MCHC values suggested normocytic normochromic anaemic condition. It was concluded that the extract of J. carnae is safe to blood cells, liver, and kidney marker enzymes at doses < 400 mg/kg body weight.

Key words: Anaemia, Blood cells, Marker-Enzymes, Justicia carnae , Phenylhydrazine, Safety