Effect of Ethyl Acetate and Aqueous Fractions of Ziziphus jujuba Extract on Biochemical and Hematological Parameters in Rat

Introduction: Despite the numerous therapeutic effects of the Ziziphus jujuba (ZJ), its effect on biochemical and hematological parameters are unknown. Therefore, in this study, the effect of ethyl acetate (EA) and aqueous (AQ) fractions of the ZJ fruit extract on biochemical and hematological parameters were explored. 
Material and Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats randomly were divided into six groups as follows: (1) Control, (2) ZJ extract (200 mg/kg), (3, 4) EA fraction of ZJ (EA150 and EA300 mg/kg), and (5, 6) AQ fraction of ZJ (AQ150 and AQ300 mg/kg). Saline, ZJ extract, and its fractions were gavage once a day for 4 weeks. At the day of the experiment (28th day), one blood sample was collected in citrated tube for the counting of the complete blood cell count calculation. The serum was used for biochemical parameters (cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose concentrations) evaluation. 
Results: The results showed that the blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in all treated groups, especially in AQ groups, significantly decreased compared to the control (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001) group. Furthermore, the number of red blood cell and white blood cell in treating rats with ZJ extract and its AQ fraction significantly increased (P < 0.05), whereas the number of platelets significantly decreased (P < 0.05) compared to the control. 
Conclusion: In conclusion, both AQ and EA fractions of ZJ have beneficial effects on biochemical and hematological parameters. Since the effect of AQ fraction is higher than EA, it is suggested that these effects of ZJ mostly mediated by compounds of ZJ that soluble in the polar solvent.