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Background: Roots of Croton membranaceus has been used for decades for management of prostate enlargement for decades in Ghana, and recently with scientific proofs. Haematopoietic system is an important index ofphysiological status in man and animals. Assay and interpretation of haematological parameters in experimental animals during the study of a potential drug or extract is a common practice in toxicological studies. Currently, the stem is being added to the roots for management of prostate enlargement in Ghana without scientific evidence.

Objective: To study the effect of aqueous stem extract of Croton membranaceus (CMASE) on the haematological indices of male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

Methods: A total of 24 male SD rats were divided into 4 groups and administered distilled water (control), CMASE doses of 30, 150 and 300 mg/kg by oral gavage for 60 days. At the end study, blood obtained by cardiac puncture after anesthesia was analyzed. Results were using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Graphpad prism 6, and significance set at p < 0.05. Ethical clearance was obtained for study (UG-IACUC 003/18-19).

Results: No statistical significant differences was observed in haematological indices: haemoglobin concentration (HB),red blood cells (RBC),mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV),mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration(MCHC),mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), white blood count (WBC) levels in the treated groups compared to control. Also, effects of CMASE on these indices were mostly in non dose-dependent pattern. CMASE caused non-significant marked elevation of platelets levels of compared to the control group.

Conclusion: CMASE does not have potential to induce anemia, leucopenia nor leukocytosis but could cause thrombocytosis.

Keywords: Haematological indices, stem extract, C. membranaceus, rats.