Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 19(1), M ar – Apr 2013; nᵒ 15, 69-74 ISSN 0976 – 044X International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research Available online at www.globalresearchonline.net 69 Dinesh Dabhadkar* 1 , Varsha Zade 1 , Sagar Dawada 1 , M ukund Dhore 2 , M anisha Kodape 3 1 Department of Zoology, Government Vidarbha Institute of Science and Humanities, Amravati- 444604, Maharashtra, India. 2 Department of Botany, B.B. Arts, N. B. Commerce and B. P. Science College, Digras- 445203, Maharashtra, India. 3 Department of Chemistry, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, India. Accepted on: 08-01-2013; Finalized on: 28-02-2013. ABSTRACT The alcoholic extract of the pod of Plumeria rubra was assessed for haematological and biochemical effects in albino rats. Extraction of dried pods was carried out with ethanol in soxhlet apparatus. After the oral acute toxicity study, plant extract were administered at three dose levels 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight for 21 days. The extract did not significantly alter the levels of Hb and MCHC while RBC and its other indices were significantly increased at certain doses. Similarly the level of WBC and its differentials remained unaltered throughout the experimental period. In biochemical studies, the extract had no adverse effect on the activity of the liver, as shown by ALP, SGPT and SGOT liver enzyme assay. The pod extract of Plumeria rubra showed no change in the serum total cholesterol content of rats. The hormonal assay shows that, there was reduction in the level of FSH and LH hormone, while level of estrogen increased but there was slight decrease in the level of progesterone hormone. The extract shows non-significant change in the body weight but there was significant decrease in weight of ovary and increase in the uterine weight in treated rats. The phytochemical screening of Plumeria rubra revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins and saponines whereas anthraquinone were not detected. All findings suggest that the Plumeria rubra does not cause any toxic effect in rats, and the extract possesses estrogenic and contraceptive activity. Keywords: Haematology, Plumeria rubra, Pods, Female albino rats, Estrogenic activity. INTRODUCTION edicinal plants contain substances that could be used for therapeutic purposes or precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs 1 . Medicinal plants, since time immemorial have been used in virtually all cultures as a source of medicine. Over 5000 plants are known to be used for medicinal purposes in Africa, but only a few have been described or studied 2 . Assessment of haematological and biochemical profile becomes a pre- requisite to understand the normal functioning of the system and to further confirm the toxic nature of the administered plant extract or any drug. Alterations in blood parameters may be due to changes in cellular integrity, membrane permeability of cells or even due to exposure to toxic chemicals 3 . Plumeria rubra L. (Hindi: Lal champa; English: True Frangipani) is a laticiferous tree and shrub, belonging to the Apocynaceae family. The decoction of bark and roots of Plumeria rubra plant is traditionally used to treat asthma, ease constipation, promote menstruation, reduce fever and the latex is used to soothe irritation 4 . In India, however, its fruit is used as an abortifacient 5 . The decoction of the flowers of Plumeria rubra is reported to be used for control of diabetes mellitus in Mexico 6 . The leaves of Plumeria rubra are used in ulcers, leprosy, inflammations, rheumatism, bronchitis, cholera, cold and cough and as rubefacient, antibacterial, antipyretic, antifungal, stimulant etc 7 . The selection of the plant Plumeria rubra Linn. was made on the basis of its easy of availability, therapeutic value and degree of research work which is not done 8 . Therefore, the present work was undertaken to validate scientifically the Therapeutic role of Plumeria rubra pods on biochemical and haematological parameters on female albino rats. M ATERIALS AND M ETHODS Collection of plant material The plant Plumeria rubra was collected during the flowering period of August to October from Melghat region (20 ° 51′ to 21 ° 46′ N and to 76 ° 38′ to 77 ° 33′ E) of Amravati district of Maharashtra state of India, It was identified and authenticated by experts from Botanical Survey of India, Pune (Accession No. DD- 1). Preparation of the extract The pods of Plumeria rubra were collected, shade dried, powdered and subjected to soxhlet extraction with ethanol for 48 hrs and filtered. The extract was evaporated to near dryness on a water bath, weighed and kept at 4 ° C in refrigerator until used for experimental evaluation. Phytochemical screening The presence of various plant constituents in the plant extract was determined by preliminary phytochemical screening as per Thimmaiah 9 . Effect of Alcoholic Pod Extract of Plumeria Rubra on Biochemical and Haematological Parameters of Female Albino Rats M Research Article