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

Objectives: L. is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of bacterial infections and anaemia. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of 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 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. (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 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.