Effect of Tectona grandis on phenylhydrazine-induced anaemia in rats

Hematopoietic effect of echinochrome on phenylhydrazine-induced hemolytic anemia in rats

Background

Hemolytic anemia (HA) is a serious health condition resulting from reduced erythrocytes' average life span. Echinochrome (Ech) is a dark-red pigment found in shells and spines of sea urchins.

Aim

Studying the potential therapeutic effect of Ech on phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced HA in rats.

Methods

Eighteen rats were divided into three groups (n = 6): the control group, the phenylhydrazine-induced HA group and the Ech group, injected intraperitoneally with PHZ and supplemented with oral Ech daily for 6 days.

Results

Ech resulted in a considerable increase in RBCs, WBCs, and platelets counts, hemoglobin, reduced glutathione, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase levels, and a significant decrease in aspartate & alanine aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, bilirubin, creatinine, urea, urate, malondialdehyde & nitric oxide levels in anemic rats. Histopathological examination of liver and kidney tissue samples showed marked improvement.

Conclusion

Ech ameliorated phenylhydrazine-induced HA with a hepatorenal protective effect owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles mediated Azadirachta indica extract and study of their characterization, molecular docking, and antibacterial activity

The green production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) produces AgNPs with minimum influence on the environment by using plant components such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, lipids, enzymes, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyphenols as reducing agents. In the present investigation, Azadirachta indica leaf extract was used to form AgNPs from a 1 mM silver nitrate solution. The plan proved to be incredibly straightforward, cost-effective, and effective. The production of the nanoparticles was observed visually, where the colorless fluid turns into a brown-colored solution. Further research was carried out using x-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in addition to UV-visible spectroscopy. The size range of AgNPs determined by TEM was 10-30 nm. When the diffusion technique was employed to demonstrate the antibacterial effect of AgNPs on various pathogens, the zones of inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Escherichia coli, when 50 g of AgNPs were used were 16, 12, and 17 mm, respectively. By examining the leakage of reducing sugars and proteins, the mechanism by which nanoparticle antibacterial properties were explored, showed that AgNPs were capable of lowering membrane permeability.

Tectona grandis L.f: A comprehensive review on its patents, chemical constituents, and biological activities

Tectona grandis L.f is a timber plant that is commonly referred to as teak. Its wide use as a medicine in the various indigenous systems makes it a plant of importance. A wide gamut of phytoconstituents like alkaloids, phenolic glycosides, steroids, etc. has been reported. A renewed interest in this plant has resulted in scientific investigations by various researchers towards the isolation and identification of active constituents along with scientific proof of its biological activities. The different parts of the plant have been scientifically evaluated for their antioxidant, antipyretic, analgesic, hypoglycemic, wound healing, cytotoxic, and many more biological activities. Documentation of this scientific knowledge is of importance to have consolidated precise information encompassing the various aspects of this plant, which could provide a base for future studies. This review is a compilation of the salient reports on these investigations concerning phytochemistry, the methods used to identify and quantify the constituents, the evaluation methods of the biological activity, toxicological studies, allergies and the patent/patent applications. This will further help researchers to find an area of the gap for future studies.

Phytochemical screening, antioxidant study and hematinic property of Mojeaga herbal remedy using animal model

Background

Plants have been used as medicine since ancient time and contributed immensely to health care delivery system globally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytoconstituents, antioxidant and hematinic property of Mojeaga herbal remedy (Alchornea cordifolia, Sorghum bicolor and Pennisetum glaucum) in animal model. Standard protocols were used to analyze the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical, gas chromatography mass spectrum (GC–MS), and in vitro antioxidant studies (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity were also used to assess these plants. Ninety Wistar rats of both sexes were selected for this study. They were administered with 40 mg/kg phenylhydrazine hydrochloride to induce anemia for 5 days afterward treated with oral dose of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 ml/kg Mojeaga herbal remedy for 10 days. Hematological, CD4 and CD8, and histology of the blood and bone marrow were analyzed.

Results

The phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids and phenol. Flavonoids and phenol were more in abundant (917 and 1445 mg/kg). The GC–MS analysis shows the presence of disulfide, dimethyl, 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol, 1-Dodecanol, 10-Phenyldecanoic acid, 8-Phenyloctanoic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid and 15-Hydroxypentadecanoic acid. The antioxidant scavenging property showed the potential capacity of the herbal remedy to scavenge free radicals against oxidative stress at 24%, 53.8% 1609.9 µM Fe II/ g extract when compared with ascorbic acid. The hematological indexes showed a significant increase in red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations, mean corpuscular volume, CD4 and CD8 count at day 10 of the male and female rats with the values of RBC (6.72, 7.34, 7.10 × 106/ul) (6.78, 6.75, 6.79 × 106/ul), hematocrit (47.8, 51.5, 49.75%) (48.05, 44.80, 44.60%) and hemoglobin (16.5, 18.05, 17.1 g/dl) (16.6, 15.6, 15.75 g/dl) when compared with the control (p < 0.05). The histo-architectural structure of the bone marrow showed a stimulating effect of myeloid/erythroid cell ratio > 60 in the treatment groups when compared with 40 mg/kg phenylhydrazine alone.

Conclusions

In conclusion, mojeaga herbal remedy elicited hematinic property that validated the folklore report; hence, further evaluation will be required.

Ficus glumosa Del. reduces phenylhydrazine-induced hemolytic anaemia and hepatic damage in Wistar rats

OBJECTIVES

Anemia is a direct or indirect consequence of oxidative stress via free radicals on erythrocytes and subsequently on other tissues like liver. Ficus glumosa constitute a rich pharmacologically compound that can prevent or repair oxidative damage. Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate the effect of F. glumosa on phenylhydrazine-induced hemolytic anemia and hepatic damage in rats.

METHODS

Twenty-four (24) albino Wistar rats were assigned to four (4) experimental groups (n=6) as follows: Group I (non-anemic control) and Group 2 (anemic control) received normal saline, while Group III and IV (test groups) 200 and 400 mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of F. glumosa (ALEFG), respectively. All the groups were treated orally (via a cannula) for seven consecutive days. Intraperitoneal (IP) injection of phenylhydrazine (PHZ) at 40 mg/kg for two consecutive days induced hemolytic anemia in group II to IV before treatment. Rats of all groups were anaesthetized and sacrificed 24 h after the last treatment. Blood and liver samples were collected for some hematological indices, liver function test, antioxidant parameter and histological analysis.

RESULTS

The LD₅₀ of ALEFG was assessed orally in rats and found to be above 5,000 mg/kg body weight. Significant (p<0.05) decreases in the level of red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB) concentrations and packed cell volume (PCV) by 50% after 2 days of PHZ induction, were attenuated by more than 50% after 7 days administration of ALEFG at 200 and 400 mg/kg. The percentage change in body weight increased significantly (p<0.05) after 7 days post PHZ-induced anemia, but those that received oral administration of ALEFG (at 200 and 400 mg/kg) for 7 days increased significantly (p<0.05) by more than 2%, dose-dependently compared to anemic untreated group. Increased level of serum ALT, AST, ALP and GGT in PHZ-induced anemic animals, were significantly (p<0.05) attenuated in the groups that received oral administration of ALEFG (at 200 and 400 mg/kg) for 7 days. Decreased level of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities with concomitant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content from PHZ-induced untreated group, were significantly (p<0.05) mitigated in the rats that received oral administration of ALEFG (at 200 and 400 mg/kg) for 7 days. Histopathological analysis showed that ALEFG could remarkably though not completely mitigated PHZ-induced hepatic damage.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggests that the leaves of F. glumosa contain important antioxidant(s) that could effectively reduce hemolytic anemia and hepatic damage, especially during phenylhydrazine-induced toxicity.

Protective effect of Beta vulgaris roots supplementation on anemic phenylhydrazine-intoxicated rats

Anemia is a public health problem that affects many people worldwide. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is a plant supposed to have many healthy features. The present study was done to evaluate the anti-anemic effect of beetroot supplement on anemia induced by phenylhydrazine in albino rats. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five equal groups. The control group was kept normal rats. In the second group, anemia was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of phenylhydrazine at 60 mg/kg in 3 divided doses daily, for 3 consecutive days. The last three groups received phenylhydrazine as the anemic group. Then, the third group received beetroot extract in dose 200 mg/kg for 24 days. The fourth group received beetroot powder in dose 1000 mg/kg for 24 days. The last group received iron (III) hydroxide polymaltose complex in dose 5mg/kg for 24 days. Our results showed that hemolytic anemia induced by phenylhydrazine in rats caused alteration in the blood picture, iron indices, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant biomarkers, and histopathological picture. However, the supplementation with beetroot ameliorated these alterations, especially beetroot powder which showed powerful health effects compared to beetroot extract and iron preparation.

Antioxidant property, haematinic and biosafety effect of Ipomoea batatas lam. leaf extract in animal model

Background

Plant medicine was dated back for decades and has immensely contributed to the health care system in several countries. This present study evaluated in vitro antioxidant, anti-anaemic and biosafety properties of n-hexane leaf extract of Ipomoea batatas L. in an animal model. The antioxidant property of the extract was expressed by 1, 1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with an appropriate method. The extract was orally administered at graded doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) to determine its effect on 40 mg/kg phenylhydrazine hydrochloride-induced anaemia in rats at days 1, 7 and 14 using a standard protocol. Acute and subacute toxicological evaluations were based on initial behaviour, mortality and histological examination of the organs.

Results

The antioxidant study of the extract showed 60.14% in the presence of DPPH and ascorbic acid. The haematological parameters (RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH and MCHC) significantly increased at p value < 0.05 in the treated groups compared with control groups. Specifically, there is a significant increase in the treatment groups, namely red blood cells (5.93, 6.78, 6.75), haematocrit (40.75, 44.05, 44.63) and haemoglobin (13.35, 14.70, 14.73), when compared with untreated control. Also, the results of the myeloid/erythroid ratio of the treated groups (20: 40, 21.7: 43.4 ratio) and (23. 3: 46.6 ratio) are compared with (15.0: 25.0 ratio) of 40 mg/kg phenylhydrazine and 25: 50 normal control of the bone marrow at day 14. No acute behavioural change or mortality was observed. Histological analysis exhibited normal physiological state of the visceral organs.

Conclusions

These findings support the folklore use of Ipomoea batatas L. leaf extract to reduce oxidative stress, treat anaemia and exhibit its safety at the highest doses of 500 mg/kg body weight.

Antianemic activity of polyherbal formulation, Raktavardhak Kadha, against phenylhydrazine-induced anemia in rats

Background

Over two billion people around the world suffer from anemia. Majority of populations are using dietary supplements and herbal medicines for the management of the anemic conditions. Many polyherbal formulations such as RaktavardhakKadha (RK), are available in the Indian market as a nutritional supplement and herbal-based medicine for anemia.

Objectives

The present study is aimed at investigating antianemic potential of polyherbal formulation, RK, against phenylhydrazine-induced anemia in rats.

Materials and methods

RK was subjected to preliminary phytochemical analysis and iron estimation. Anemia was induced by phenylhydrazine administration (40 mg/kg, i.p.) for 2 consecutive days. Antianemic activity of RK was investigated at the dose of 1.8 ml/kg, twice daily for 12 days by estimating blood parameters and pathological changes in liver, heart, spleen and bone marrow.

Results

RK was found to contain saponins, steroids, flavonoids, tannins and phenolic compounds. Iron content was found to be 5 mg/100 ml in RK. Anemia induction by phenylhydrazine injections to rats caused significant decrease in red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin and hematocrit. These decreased levels of RBCs, hemoglobin and hematocrit in blood was significantly improved by the treatment with RK. Furthermore, RK restored pathological changes in liver, heart, spleen and bone marrow tissues near to normal.

Conclusion

This study suggests antianemic activity of RK, which can be attributed to its iron content and ability to prevent hemolysis.

Ocimum gratissimum leaf extract ameliorates phenylhydrazine-induced anaemia and toxicity in Wistar rats

OBJECTIVES

Ocimum gratissimum L. is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of bacterial infections and anaemia. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of O. gratissimum leaf extract on phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced anaemia and toxicity in rats.

METHODS

The experimental rats were divided into five groups (A-E) (n=6/sex/group). Each rat in groups B-E was intraperitoneally administered 50 mg/kg of PHZ for two consecutive days. Group A (normal control) did not receive any PHZ, group B (negative control), group C received orally 5 mg/kg ferrous sulphate whereas groups D and E received 200 and 400 mg/kg O. gratissimum leaf extract respectively, for 14 days.

RESULTS

Red blood cell count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and high-density lipoprotein increased significantly (p<0.05) whereas low-density lipoprotein and very-low-density lipoprotein decreased in extract-treated groups when compared to the negative control. O. gratissimum (400 mg/kg extract) and standard drug (5 mg/kg ferrous sulphate) significantly (p<0.05) reduced the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that O. gratissimum leaf extract has a restorative effect on the phenylhydrazine-induced metabolic distortions in the blood, liver, and kidney, and therefore could be used therapeutically as an anti-anaemic tonic.

Ocimum gratissimum leaf extract ameliorates phenylhydrazine-induced anaemia and toxicity in Wistar rats

OBJECTIVES

Ocimum gratissimum L. is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of bacterial infections and anaemia. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of O. gratissimum leaf extract on phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced anaemia and toxicity in rats.

METHODS

The experimental rats were divided into five groups (A-E) (n=6/sex/group). Each rat in groups B-E was intraperitoneally administered 50 mg/kg of PHZ for two consecutive days. Group A (normal control) did not receive any PHZ, group B (negative control), group C received orally 5 mg/kg ferrous sulphate whereas groups D and E received 200 and 400 mg/kg O. gratissimum leaf extract respectively, for 14 days.

RESULTS

Red blood cell count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and high-density lipoprotein increased significantly (p<0.05) whereas low-density lipoprotein and very-low-density lipoprotein decreased in extract-treated groups when compared to the negative control. O. gratissimum (400 mg/kg extract) and standard drug (5 mg/kg ferrous sulphate) significantly (p<0.05) reduced the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that O. gratissimum leaf extract has a restorative effect on the phenylhydrazine-induced metabolic distortions in the blood, liver, and kidney, and therefore could be used therapeutically as an anti-anaemic tonic.

Safety assessment of oral administration of ethanol extract of Justicia carnea leaf in healthy wistar rats: hematology, antioxidative and histology studies

Background

Consumption of medicinal plants has diverse therapeutic benefits and could also have toxic effect. Justicia carnea is a medicinal plant that is used conventionally as blood tonic from time immemorial in Nigeria. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety of ethanol extract of J. carnea leaf assessing the hematology indices, organ antioxidant system and histology in healthy male wistar rats.

Methods

Powdered sample was extracted using absolute ethanol and concentrated to obtain a slurry paste of J. carnea ethanol extracts. Acute toxicity was determined in two phases using Lorke method. In subacute study, rats were randomized into six groups of five rats per group: Group 1 (control) received distilled water, group 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 received 50, 100, 500, 800 and 1200 mg/kg body weight of J. carnea ethanol extract once daily using oral gavage. At the end of 14th day of administration, rats were allowed to fast overnight, sacrificed to collect samples for biochemical analysis and histopathological examination.

Results

The LD50 of extract was greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. Higher doses (> 500 mg/kg) of extract significantly (p < 0.05) increased RBC, hemoglobin and platelet compared to the control. Liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly (p < 0.05) increased at 1200 mg/kg while other tested doses caused no detrimental effect on glutathione, catalase, SOD and malondialdehyde level in liver and kidney. Histopathological examination of liver and kidney showed mild to severe pathological lesion in a dose dependent manner.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggests that ethanol extract of J. carnea leaf is relatively safe, could be beneficial in alleviating hematology related abnormalities without causing adverse effects on endogenous antioxidant system. However, caution should be taken as higher dose at 1200 mg/kg could cause noticeable tissue injury.

Leaf and root bark extracts of Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst ex. A. Rich (Rhamnaceae) ameliorate hepatic, renal and splenic injuries induced by phenylhydrazine in rats

Objectives Ziziphus abyssinica (ZA) is employed in managing several ailments in Traditional African Medicine. Scientific evaluations are necessary to ascertain the medicinal potential of ZA as a source of new drug molecules. This study investigated the possible therapeutic benefit of ZA leaf (ZAL) and root bark (ZARB) extracts in an experimental model of multi-organ injuries induced by phenylhydrazine (PHZ). Methods Hyperbilirubinaemia, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and splenic injuries were induced by pretreating albino rats with PHZ (40 mg/kg, p.o.) for two alternate days. Afterward, six out of the eight groups of rats (n = 5) used were treated with either ZAL or ZARB (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for seven days. Naïve control rats received saline without PHZ whereas negative control group received saline after PHZ. After one week of treatment, rats were sacrificed and blood collected for assessment of haematological and biochemical parameters. Liver, kidney and spleen sections were processed for histology and examined under light microscope. Results Data indicate that PHZ significantly (p < 0.05) increased total bilirubin, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and BUN/creatinine ratio whereas red blood cell count was significantly reduced. These anomalies were significantly reversed in rats treated with ZAL or ZARB. The therapeutic effect of the extracts was supported by photomicrographs of the liver, kidney, and spleen of rats which revealed recovery from PHZ-mediated pyknosis, glomerular degeneration and multiple splenic necrosis respectively. Conclusions Overall, data from this study suggest that ZA may be useful in multiple organ injuries associated with PHZ-like xenobiotic toxicity.

Acute Anemia Induces Erythropoiesis in Rat Organ Surface Primo-Vascular Tissue

The primo-vascular system (PVS) is a newly identified vascular tissue composed of primo-nodes (PNs) and primo-vessels (PVs). Previously, we reported erythropoietic activity in the organ-surface PVS (osPVS) tissue of rats with heart failure. In this study, we further investigated whether acute anemia could induce erythropoiesis in the PVS of rats, based on the hypothesis that erythropoiesis in osPVS tissue is due to anemia accompanying heart failure. Acute anemia was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of phenylhydrazine (PHZ). Circulating red blood cells (RBCs) and hematocrit decreased by 31.6%, whereas reticulocytes and white blood cells increased at day 3 and day 6 after PHZ treatment. All these parameters recovered to control levels at day 10. At days 3 and 6, we observed an increase in the size of the PNs (P < 0.05), the number of the osPVS tissue samples per rat (P < 0.01), and the proportion of osPVS tissue samples with red chromophore (P < 0.001), which was from the RBCs in the PVS tissue. The number of RBCs, estimated from the PN sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin, increased at day 6 in the rats with anemia (P < 0.01). All these anemia-induced changes in the osPVS tissue recovered to the control levels by day 10. Taken together, the results showed that the morphological and cytological changes in the osPVS tissue appear to be related to the erythropoietic activity induced by acute anemia in rats. This study confirmed the previous findings that the osPVS can exert erythropoietic activity in disease states accompanied by anemia, such as heart failure.

Subacute Oral Toxicity Assesment of Ethanol Extract of Mariposa christia vespertilionis Leaves in Male Sprague Dawley Rats

The term Butterfly tea refers to decoction of Mariposa christia vespertilionis leaves which is widely consumed by cancer patients throughout Malaysia and has gained a huge popularity among Malaysians, not only cancer patients but also researchers to discover the real potential of this plant. Herein, the study is aimed at evaluating the possible toxicity in 28-day subacute oral toxicity of ethanolic extract M. christia vespertilionis in male Sprague Dawley rats. The 28-day subacute toxicity study was conducted to detect the no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL). In this study, a total of 30 rats were divided into the control, 5% DMSO (vehicle), low dose (75 mg/kg), medium dose (125 mg/kg) and high dose (250 mg/kg) groups. The extract was administered daily from day 1 until day 28. At the end of the study, the animals were humanely sacrificed and assessed for the effect extract of Mariposa christia vespertilionis leaves on body weight and relative organ weights and haematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters. The haematological and serum biochemical parameters for the assessment of kidney and liver injuries were carried out. Results of haematological and serum biochemistry results showed no changes in the control and treated groups. In the histopathology, evaluation of kidney tissues in all treated groups showed no significant (p > 0.05) lesions. In contrast to kidney, liver tissues showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in lesions observed in low dose (430 mg), medium dose (700 mg) and high dose (1480 mg) groups with very mild, mild and mild to moderate lesion of hepatic necrosis, in the respective groups, and very mild hepatic degeneration and hepatitis were scored in all three groups.

Extracts of Tectona grandis and Vernonia amygdalina have anti-Toxoplasma and pro-inflammatory properties in vitro

Tectona grandis (teak) and Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) are plants used in traditional medicine in West Africa. In this study, we tested ethanolic and hydro-ethanolic extracts of bark and leaves of T. grandis and ethanolic extract of leaves of V. amygdalina for their inhibitory effect on Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis. Ethanolic extract of V. amygdalina leaves had proportional contents of phenols, tannins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. This extract presented the highest efficacy against T. gondii, the lowest cytotoxicity to mammalian cells, but moderate anti-oxidant activity compared to other plant extracts. Ethanolic extract of T. grandis bark also had elevated anti-T. gondii activity, low cytotoxicity on mammalian cells, and one of the highest anti-oxidant activities. However, the phytochemical content of this extract was not very different from the hydro-ethanolic extract, which had no anti-T. gondii activity. In addition, ethanolic extract of V. amygdalina leaves, but not of T. grandis bark, significantly increased the production of TNF-α and NO by antigen-presenting cells. Both extracts had the tendency to decrease expression of major histocompatibility complex molecules at the surface of antigen-presenting cells, while they did not modulate the percentage of apoptotic cells. A study of signalling pathways would help to determine the mechanisms of action of these plant extracts.

Modulatory effects of melatonin and vitamin C on oxidative stress-mediated haemolytic anaemia and associated cardiovascular dysfunctions in rats

Background Phenylhydrazine (PHE) in experimental animal models has been widely reported to cause haemolytic anaemia, via the induction of oxidative stress and thus causing deleterious cardiovascular complications. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the possible modulatory role of melatonin (MLT) or vitamin C when co-administered with PHE. Methods Anaemia was established with PHE administration. MLT or vitamin C was co-administered with PHE. Haematological parameters, markers of oxidative stress, enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants, blood pressure and electrocardiograms were assessed. Results PHE administration led to a significant (p<0.05) increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generated in cardiac, renal and red blood cell (RBC) lysates. PHE also significantly reduced the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents, respectively. The RBC counts, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and packed cell volume (PCV) were also significantly reduced following the administration of PHE. Furthermore, the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) increased significantly in rats administered PHE alone. Similarly, PHE administration led to a significant drop in heart rate but prolonged QRS, QT and QTc interval. Pathology of the heart and kidney was also observed in PHE treated group. However, treatment with MLT and vitamin C improved enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidant system together with the restoration of SBP, DBP and MABP to near normal. The architectural anarchy observed in the heart and kidney of PHE administered rats was reversed to some extent. Conclusions Hence, MLT and vitamin C could be employed as therapeutic targets in various cardiovascular diseases and its complications.

Hematinic effect of fruits of Opuntia elatior Mill. on phenylhydrazine-induced anemia in rats

INTRODUCTION

The fruits of Opuntia elatior Mill. are known as prickly pear and folkloric use as hematinic, anti-inflammatory and antiasthmatic action. Previously, the fruit juice of prickly pear was evaluated in reversed anemia induced by HgCl2 in a dose dependant manner and present study revealed about its effect in acute hemolytic anemia.

AIM

To evaluate the hematinic activity of fruits of Opuntia elatior Mill.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The hematinic activity of an orally administered fruit juice was studied on phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced anemic rats. The hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb) content, red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), and reticulocyte count were analyzed as indices of anemia.

RESULTS

PHZ altered the hematological parameters by hemolysis characterized by a decrease in Hb content, total RBC counts and PCV (P < 0.001) on day 3. The Hb content (g%) was significantly increased (P < 0.05) at day 7 in 10 and 15 ml/kg fruit juice treated rats, which was a good improvement compared to the standard.

CONCLUSION

The speedy and progressive recovery of anemic rats responding to treatment of the O. elatior Mill. fruits may be due to increased erythropoiesis and/or antioxidant property of betacyanin.

In vivo and in vitro toxicological evaluation of the hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In African traditional medicine, Ageratum conyzoides has been used as purgative, febrifuge, anti-ulcer and wound dressing. To date there is no safety information about long term use of Ageratum conyzoides which contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, a class of hepatotoxic and carcinogenic phytochemicals. This study aims to evaluate the 90 days subchronic toxicity and in vitro toxicity of Ageratum conyzoides.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three groups of 8 rats (4 males and 4 females) received distilled water (control), 500 and 1000 mg/kg of the extract daily for 90 consecutive days by oral gavage. The animals were observed daily for abnormal clinical signs and death. Body weight, relative organ weight, haematological and biochemical parameters of blood as well as heart, kidney, liver and spleen tissues histology were evaluated.

RESULTS

After 90 days administration, Ageratum conyzoides increased significantly (p<0.05) the relative weight of the liver, the spleen and kidney as compared to control group. Ageratum conyzoides increased also significantly (p<0.05) ALP, ALT, AST and blood glucose. Furthermore, an increase in the number of platelets associated with a normocytic and normochromic anaemia was observed. The cytotoxicity, determined by the MTT test and neutral red assay, has shown that the cytotoxicity of hydroalcoholic extract of Ageratum conyzoides and its total alkaloids was very close.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results have shown that Ageratum conyzoides at 500 and 1000 mg/kg can induce liver, kidney and haematological disorders. These toxics effects can be attributed to its total alkaloids especially to pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are present in this plant.

Inhibitory effects of palm tocotrienol-rich fraction supplementation on bilirubin-metabolizing enzymes in hyperbilirubinemic adult rats

BACKGROUND

Phenylhydrazine, a hemolytic agent, is widely used as a model of experimental hyperbilirubinemia. Palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) was shown to exert beneficial effects in hyperbilirubinemic rat neonates.

AIM

To investigate the effects of palm TRF supplementation on hepatic bilirubin-metabolizing enzymes and oxidative stress status in rats administered phenylhydrazine.

METHODS

Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into two groups; one group was intraperitoneally injected with palm TRF at the dose of 30 mg/kg/day, while another group was only given vehicle (control) (vitamin E-free palm oil) for 14 days. Twenty-four hours after the last dose, each group was further subdivided into another two groups. One group was administered phenylhydrazine (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and another group was administered normal saline. Twenty-four hours later, blood and liver were collected for biochemical parameter measurements.

RESULTS

Phenylhydrazine increased plasma total bilirubin level and oxidative stress in the erythrocytes as well as in the liver, which were reduced by the pretreatment of palm TRF. Palm TRF also prevented the increases in hepatic heme oxygenase, biliverdin reductase and UDP-glucuronyltransferase activities induced by phenylhydrazine.

CONCLUSION

Palm tocotrienol-rich fraction was able to afford protection against phenylhydrazine-induced hyperbilirubinemia, possibly by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting bilirubin-metabolizing enzymes in the liver.

Hematopoietic effect of Bacillus subtilis-fermented antler extract on phenylhydrazine-induced hemolytic anemia in Sprague-Dawley rats

This study examined the effect of fermentation on the ability of antler to act as a stimulator of hematopoietic activity. Hemolytic anemia was induced by phenylhydrazine (PHZ) in female Sprague-Dawley rats. The vehicle or antler extract (nonfermented or fermented) mixed in drinking water was administered from Days 2 to 15 after PHZ injection. On Day 15, red blood cell counts in the fermented antler group (6.33×10⁶/μL) were significantly higher than those in the nonfermented antler group (5.90×10⁶/μL) (P<.05), and rats treated with fermented antler extract tended to have higher hemoglobin compared with rats treated with nonfermented antler extract, but not significantly. In addition, rats treated with fermented antler extract had slightly lower serum erythropoietin levels compared with nonfermented antler extract, which were not statistically different from serum erythropoietin levels of nonanemic rats. We conclude therefore that the hematopoietic activity of antler might be increased by the fermentation process.

Ethnomedical study and iron content of some medicinal herbs used in traditional medicine in Cote d'Ivoire for the treatment of anaemia

Medicinal plants have been a source of succour in the control of many diseases in developing countries and anaemia is no exception. In this study, ethnomedical survey was carried out for recording medicinal plants used in Northern and South-Eastern Côte d'Ivoire against anaemia. Also iron content was determined for some of the recorded plants using phenanthroline method. Thirty (30) medicinal plants, covering 28 genera and 22 families were recorded. These plants were used to prepare 30 receipts for the treatment of anaemia and aggravating factors such as malaria and gastro-intestinal helminthes. Eleven (11) of these medicinal plants showed presence of iron in various quantities. The most promising were Tectona grandis, Amaranthus spinosus and Stylosanthes erecta which contained the highest iron contents viz; 266.6, 236.6 and 206.6 mg/100 g respectively. They were followed by Hoslundia opposita, Imperata cylindrica, Cajanus cajan, Thalia geniculata and Milicia excelsa. These results lend credence to the traditional use of these plants in Cote d'Ivoire's ethnomedicine for the treatment of anaemia.

Tectone, a New Antihyperglycemic Anthraquinone from Tectona grandis Leaves

A new anthraquinone (3,8-dihydroxy-2-methyl anthraquinone), named tectone (1), along with fourteen known compounds (2-15) comprised of five terpenoids (2-5, 15), four flavonoids (6-9), three flavone glycosides (10-12), and two phenolic glycosides (13-14) were isolated from the chloroform and n-butanol fractions of the ethanol extract of Tectona grandis leaves. Attempts were made to synthesize compound 1. This resulted in the synthesis of three additional anthraquinones (16-18), out of which compound 16 is new. The structures of all compounds were established by spectral analysis. The isolated and synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antihyperglycemic activity. Compounds 1, 2, 4 and 14 showed significant antihyperglycemic activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, which is comparable to the standard drug metformin.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Psidium Guajava Leaves on Liver Enzymes, Histological Integrity and Hematological Indices in Rats

BACKGROUND

Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin and total protein levels, as well as the tissue histological assay are known to be useful in assessing the functional integrity of the liver. Also, assessment of red and white blood cells count, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations is useful in determining the effect of some chemical substances on hemotopoietic system. In recent times, reports from medicinal plants research indicate that extracts from some plants are both hepatotoxic and hematotoxic, while others on the other hand are reported to be hepatoprotective and hematopoietic in action. This study considers the effects of aqueous extract of Psidium guajava (P. guajava) leaves on the histology and biochemical indices of liver function as well as hematological indices in rats.

METHODS

In this study, phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract of P. guajava leaves was carried out. Also, male and female rats were administered with 200 mg/kg body weight oral daily doses of aqueous extract of P. guajava leaves for a period of 30 days. At the end of the administration period, the rats were anaesthesized with chloroform vapors and dissected for the collection of blood and liver tissues which were used for the hematopoietic and liver functions investigations.

RESULTS

Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the plant leaves showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, polyphenols, reducing compounds, saponins and tannins. Liver function tests revealed that the serum ALT, AST and ALP, as well as the concentrations of total protein and albumin in male and female rats were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the oral administration of the extract. Histopathological study also did not show any adverse alteration in the morphological architecture of the liver tissues in both sexes of the animal model. However, red blood cell counts, hemotocrit and hemoglobin concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.05) on administration of the extract in both male and female rats. It was therefore observed that the effect of the extract on male rats was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from that obtained for the female rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this present study suggested that aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves may be hepatoprotective, and not hepatotoxic, with hematopoietic potentials in both male and female rats. These findings are therefore of clinical importance given the various reported medicinal potentials of the plant.