Haematological effect of a bi-herbal composition on phenyl hydrazine-induced anaemia in Albino Wistar rats

Abstract

Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus are plants known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and haematopoietic properties. This study aimed to determine the haematological effect of a dual herb composition of these plants on phenylhydrazine-induced anaemia in albino Wistar rats. Sixty adult male rats were divided into six groups: control, phenylhydrazine group, ferrous sulphate group, and three groups receiving phenylhydrazine plus 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg of the extract. Haematological parameters were measured using an autoanalyzer and analyzed with SPSS software V22. The red blood cell count was significantly higher in the control group compared to other groups (p<0.05). Haemoglobin was significantly higher in the control, ferrous sulphate, 100 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg groups compared to the phenylhydrazine and 200 mg/kg groups (p<0.05). Mean cell volume was significantly lower in the control group compared to all other groups (p<0.05). Mean cell haemoglobin was significantly lower in the control group compared to other groups while MCHC was higher in the control group compared to phenylhydrazine, ferrous sulphate, 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg groups (p<0.05). RDWSD was significantly lower in the control group compared to all other groups (p<0.05). Total white blood cell count was significantly lower in the control and phenylhydrazine groups compared to others (p<0.05). Lymphocyte was significantly higher in the ferrous sulphate group compared to others, while monocyte count was significantly lower in the control, phenylhydrazine, and ferrous sulphate groups (p<0.05). Neutrophil was significantly higher in the control and phenylhydrazine groups (p<0.05). Platelet was significantly lower in the control group compared to ferrous sulphate, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg groups (p<0.05). Mean platelet volume was significantly lower in the control, phenylhydrazine, ferrous sulphate, and 100 mg/kg groups compared to the 400 mg/kg group (p<0.05). The study concludes that the biherbal formulation of the plants caused significant alterations in haematological parameters.