Edible Seafood –Thais coronata (Rock Snail) Extract Boosts RBC, PCV, Hb, Platelets, WBC and Lymphocytes Counts in Rats

This study sought to elucidate the impact of consumption of crude extract of an edible seafood, Thais coronata (rock snail), on hematological parameters in male rats of albino Wistar strain. Crude extract of T. coronata was prepared from fresh edible samples, and its protein content was thereafter estimated following standard procedure. LD50 value of the extract was also determined using graded doses (2.82, 5.64, 11.28, 22.56, 45.12, 90.24 and 180.48mgProtein/Kg i.p.) of the extract in rats. Eighteen albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups of 6 rats each (n=6), the animals eat either normal rat chow, low (7.0mgProtein/ml), and/or high (52.0mgProtein/ml) doses of the extract for six weeks. Thereafter, blood samples were obtained from each rat via cardiac puncture to estimate the various blood parameters. The results revealed that the average protein content of the extract was 4.17±0.01mgProtein/ml, while the LD50 values was 88.98mg Protein/ml. RBC count, Hb, PCV, MCH, MCHC, platelet, total WBCs and lymphocyte counts increased significantly in rock snail fed groups (p<0.01); while mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width and platelet large cell ratio decreased significantly in rock snail fed groups (p<0.001). In conclusion, edible seafood–Thais coronata (rock snail) is very safe for consumption and contains vital nutrients that boosts production of blood cells, hence could serve as an essential food supplement.