Effects of Farayola Herbal Mixture on the Anti-Oxidant Status of Phenylhydrazine - Induced Anaemic Rats

Abstract

This study investigated the anti-anaemic efficacy of Farayola herbal mixture in phenylhydrazine-induced anaemia in rats. Phytochemical screenings were carried out on the aqueous and methanolic extracts of the constituent herbs. Male and female rats (100-160g) were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 was the control, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were administered phenylhydrazine (8mg/kg) to induce anaemia and treated with 400mg/kg, 800mg/kg, 1200mg/kg and 1600mg/kg of the extract respectively, for 14 days while group 6 was untreated. Red blood cell counts (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV)and haemoglobin concentrations(Hb) were determined before and after induction of anaemia, 7 and 14 days after treatment. Liver and kidney were harvested for histological analysis and assay of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and malondialdehyde (MDA). RBC, PCV and Hb increased (p ≤ 0.05) in the treated anaemic rats when compared with the control. There was no change in the group adminstered 1600mg/kg dose of the extract. Hepatic MDA, GSH and SOD concentrations in the anaemic rats showed no difference compared with the control. There was significant increase(p ≤ 0.05) in the hepatic and renal catalase activity while renal GSH was significantly lowered in anaemic rats; MDA and SOD activites were unaltered while catalase activity was higher in the extract-treated anaemic groups (p ≤ 0.05). Groups administered 1200mg/kg and 1600mg/kg dose of the mixture showed pathological abnormalities with decrease in the concentration of MDA. The mixture possesses haematinic and antioxidant properties but may be toxic at high doses.