Parquetina nigrescens reverses haemorrhagic and haemolytic anaemia with reduction of erythrocyte osmotic fragility in adult male Wistar rats

Haematinic effects of Parquetina nigrescens

Abstract

Anaemia is still a serious challenge in developing countries due to problems of haemo protozoan parasitic diseases, sickle cell anaemia and malnutrition that is almost always exacerbated by poverty. Thus, there is a need for the evaluation and development of local solutions towards the mitigation of anaemia. The present study was therefore designed to evaluate the haematinic potentials of methanol leaf extract of Parquetina nigriscens on experimentally-induced haemorrhagic and haemolytic anaemia in adult male Wistar rats.

Forty-five adult male Wistar rats used for the study were randomly assigned into 9 groups. Group A served as positive control without anaemia. Haemorrhagic anaemia was induced in groups B - E by withdrawal of 30% total blood volume of each rat, while haemolytic anaemia was induced in groups F to I by an intraperitoneal injection of Phenylhydrazine (40 mg/kg) for two days (Day 1 and 3). The rats were administered 25 or 50mg/kg P. nigriscens or FeSO₄ (2 mg/kg), while a group was untreated post-induction of anaemia. Blood samples were collected on day 8 for determination of haematological parameters and erythrocyte osmotic fragility.

Parquetina nigrescens significantly increased the PCV, RBC and haemoglobin values as well as erythrocyte indices (MCV, MCH and MCHC), which had been initially reduced by the acute haemorrhage and haemolysis. The extract also restored the leucocyte indices to values comparable to those of non-anaemic control rats. Finally, P. nigrescens increased erythrocyte osmotic resistance in both haemorrhagic and haemolytic anaemia-induced rats, an indicator of regeneration of RBC and increased circulation of new erythrocytes in circulation, which is a response to anaemia.

The study demonstrated that methanol leaf extract of Parquetina nigrescens extract possesses some haematinic effects and can be used to stimulate erythropoiesis in acute blood loss or convalescent cases of haemolysis diseases.