Haematological Assessment of Tender Coconut Water as a Natural Erythropoietic Agent in Wistar Rats

Background and Objective: Coconut water has been traditionally recognized for its numerous health benefits, particularly for hydration and its rich nutrient profile. However, its impact on hematological parameters has not been extensively studied. This study aims to investigate Hematological Assessment of Tender Coconut Water as a Natural Erythropoietic Agent in Wistar Rats. Materials and Methods: The 24 Wistar rats were divided into control and treatment groups, with the latter receiving 10, 20 and 30 mL/kg body weight of Malayan green dwarf hybridized immature coconut water. Hematological parameters, including hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, RBC count, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), were assessed. Results: The administration of coconut water resulted in significantly higher hematocrit (p = 0.001), hemoglobin (p = 0.002) and RBC counts (p = 0.006) in the treatment groups compared to the control. However, no significant changes were observed in MCV, MCH or MCHC (p>0.05). Additionally, there was no dose-dependent effect on the hematological parameters among the different treatment groups. Malayan green dwarf hybridized immature coconut water significantly improves hematocrit, hemoglobin and RBC counts in Wistar rats without affecting red cell indices. Conclusion: The effects are consistent across different dosages, indicating its potential as a natural supplement for improving hematological health.