Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Parthenium Hysterophorus on Haematological Parameters in Rat

Parthenium hysterophorus known as congress grass belongs to the family compositae. Direct contact with plant and plant parts, living or dead, result in dermatitis in mankind. Presence of pollen in air causes diseases, like fever and asthma (Kaur and Sharma, 1986; Lonkar et al., 1974; Rodriguez, 1975; Rodriguez et al., 1976a and b; Shen et al., 1976; Subba Rao et al., 1976, 1978). Live stocks are also allergic and susceptible to Parthenium hysterophorus. It is responsible for bitter milk disease in live stock (Narasimhan et al., 1977). Beside these Parthenium also shows several prominent biological activities in animal and human models. It contains several important chemical constituents, mainly histamine, saponin, glucosides and triterpene (sesquiterpene), the active ingredient of Parthenium is parthenin, a sesquiterpene lactone (Rodriguez, 1975). Sesquiterpene lactones exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activities like cytotoxicity, antitumour, allergic, antimicrobial, antifeedant, phytotoxic, anticancers, hypoglycemic and other pharmacological activities (Rodriguez et al., 1976a). Though, considered nuisance, usage of the biological activities of the plant can make it economically useful. Hence, the present study is designed to evaluate the effects of Parthenium hysterophorus on haematological parameters of a mammal.