Objective: 

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the medicinal importance of organic dried apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) consumption on hematological parameters, and the secondary purpose was to determine the best ratio and/or period(s) of organic dried apricot supplementation to standard diet in female rats.

Methods: 

One-hundred and twenty female rats were randomly divided into five groups as follows: Group I (control) were fed with standard rat chow, Group II were fed 1%, Group III were fed 2.5%, Group IV were fed 5% and Group V were fed 10% organic dried apricot supplemented to standard diet were given for 30, 60, and 120 days study periods.

At 30th, 60th and 120th days, blood samples were taken and hematologic parameters were measured.

Results: 

Hematological parameters such as RBC, HCT, HGB, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, PLT, MPV, PDW and PCT were improved when organic dried apricot supplementation was given at 5 or 10 of percent for periods of 60 or 120 days (p <0.05).

Conclusions: 

Organic dried apricot has led to beneficial changes in hematologic parameters in female rats. I conclude that organic dried apricot could support reticulo-endothelial system and bone marrow in female rats.