Haematinic properties of methanolic stem bark and fruit extracts of Ficus sur in rats pre-exposed to phenylhydrazine-induced haemolytic anaemia

Abstract

The potential effects of a 14-day oral administration of methanolic stem bark and fruit extracts of Ficus sur on some haematological parameters in anaemic rats was investigated. Hemolytic anaemia was experimentally induced in rats by daily oral administration of Phenylhydrazine (PHZ) at a dose of 10 mg/Kg for 8 days. Post-induction, 50 mg/Kg, 100 mg/Kg and 150 mg/Kg of methanolic stem bark and fruit extracts of Ficus sur were administered to rats in group 1-3 and group 4-6, respectively. Group 7 which received 50 mg/Kg of FeSO4 served as the positive control. Group 8 received no treatment as negative control. The Haematocrit and Haemoglobin concentration and Red Blood Cell Count of rats treated with both methanolic stem bark and fruit extracts of F. sur were found to be significantly higher than the negative control, though less than the positive control. However, there was no significant difference between the White Blood Cell Count of all the groups treated with extract and the positive control, except for the negative control in which significant increase was observed. Differential White Blood Cell Count shows the proportion of cells in this order: lymphocytes>neutrophils>monocytes. Calculated Rf value following the thin layer chromatography test of the methanolic stem bark and fruit extracts of Ficus sur was 0.8375 cm. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of tannin, flavonoid, terpenoid and saponin, while alkaloid, glycoside and anthraquinone were absent in both. The results of this study affirm the haematinic properties of Ficus sur, hence may be explored in the complementary treatment of anaemia.

Keywords: Ficus sur, Rats, haematic properties, Haematological parameters, Phenylhydrazine, Haemolytic anaemia