EFFECT OF CHRONIC INGESTION OF Allium cepa (WHITE ONION BULB) ON PLATELET AGGREGATION IN AN AGED FEMALE WISTAR RAT

Aging is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and thrombosis. Several lines of evidence support that platelets from older subjects differ in their function and structure, making platelets more prone to activation and less sensitive to inhibition. These age-related changes could lead to platelet hyperactivity and to the development of a prothrombotic state in advanced age. The effect of aging on platelet may be related to reduce hematopoietic stem cell reverse in aging individuals. As such, discovery of natural products or supplements that will provide anti-thrombotic effect on the platelets of aged female wistar rat is sorely needed. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of chronic ingestion of Allium cepa on platelet aggregation and some coagulation parameters in aged female wistar rats. A total of 30 aged female wistar rats were used in this study comprising of three groups. The three groups were Group A; negative control, Group B; positive control, and Group C as the experimental group. Hematological parameters such as PCV, WBC and platelet count as well as PT/ PTTK and platelet aggregation tests were analyzed and compared across all the study groups. There was no significant difference in the mean value of RBC, WBC, and platelet count between the study groups (p>0.05). However, there was a significant difference in the mean value of PCV when compared to control group (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in the mean value of platelet aggregation ratio. However, there was a significant difference in PT and PTTK between the study groups (p<0.05). The study shows enhanced coagulation effect of white onion in aged rats, though not statistically significant.