Soji-Omoniwa, OOloyede, H.O.B2023-07-132023-07-1320202141-3819https://uilspace.unilorin.edu.ng/handle/20.500.12484/11487In recent years, there has been increase in the use of non-culinary herbs in food products. This technology of incorporating medicinal or non-culinary herbs into diet offers great promise for the management of diseases.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of FicusexasperataVahl leaf-based diet (FELD) on selected haematological parameters of albino rats. Twenty-four rats were randomly selected into 4 groups of 6 animals each namely: C [control rats fed diet without Ficusexasperataleaf (FEL)], F1, F2, and F3 [experimental groups fed diets containing 10 %, 30 % and 50 % FEL respectively]. Rats were allowed access to the compounded feed ad libitum for7 and 21 days. They were thereafter sacrificed and their blood samples collected and analysed using automated haematologic analyser. Results showed significant reduction (p<0.05) in packed cell volume (PCV) and mean cell volume (MCV) after 7 days of consuming FELD while there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in haemoglobin (HGB), PCV and MCV after 21 days of consuming FELD. The leucocytic parameters showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in white blood cell (WBC) of rats fed with FELD at all the levels of FEL inclusion compared to control group at the end of day 7 while platelets were significantly reduced at the end of 21 days of consuming FELD. Findings from this study revealed that FELD elicited some level of toxicity as revealed by the observed alterations in the haematological parameters studied.It should therefore be consumed with caution.en-USFicus exasperata leaf-based dietPercentage inclusionHaematological parameters