The haemoglobin regeneration potential of fermented and unfermented Telfaira occidentalis and Gnetum africanum leaves in iron deficient albino rats

Abstract

The effect of 10% supplementation of fermented and unfermented Telfaira occidentalis and Gnetum africanum leaves for 21 days on haemoglobin-iron, haematological parameters and serum ferritin was investigated to determined if the leaves could replenish haemoglobin in iron deficient rats. Iron deficiency significantly (p<0.05) decreased the relative weight gain, haemoglobin-iron, serum ferritin, haemoglobin (Hb), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), when compared to the iron sufficient control rats. Rats fed with T. occidentalis had a significantly (p<0.05) increased serum ferritin compared to those fed with G. africanum leaves. The levels of haematological parameters of rats in the iron deficient group were not significantly (p>0.05) different from the iron sufficient and leaves supplemented groups. However, haemoglobin concentration of rats on iron sufficient diet, fermented and unfermented T. occidentalis leaves and those treated with FeSO4 were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of rats in the iron deficient, fermented and unfermented G. africanum groups respectively. Percentage change in Haemoglobin-iron was lower for rats supplemented with the fermented forms of both leaves. This study shows that T. occidentalis has a significant (p<0.05) haemoglobin regeneration potential compared to G. africanum, and fermentation did not significantly (p>0.05) enhance the haemoglobin regeneration potential of both leaves.

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Keywords: Haematological parameters, nutritional anaemia, serum ferritin, vegetables