No abstract

Anemia contributes to increase morbidity and mortality in most African countries. The populaces have over time relied on herbal remedies within their localities for intervention. Ficus sycomorus is one of such plants that have being in use in the treatment of anemia. This study investigated the modulatory effect of Ficus sycomorus leaf extract on hematological parameters and histology of the bone marrow on phenlyhydrazineinduced anemia. Thirty six rats of both sexes weighting between of 140-200 grams were grouped into nine groups with four animals in each group. The control group (grp 1) received 0.1ml normal saline (vehicle). Group 2 served as the untreated anemic group which received of 40mg/kg of phenlyhydrazine (PHZ). Groups 3, 4 and 5 were administered low, medium and high doses of extract only (non-anemic), Groups 6, 7 and 8 were induced anemia via PHZ and treated with low, medium and high doses of Ficus sycomorus aqueous leaf extract, while group 9 was induced and treated with folic acid as standard drug. These hematological analysis revealed that oral administration of Ficus sycomorus aqueous leaf extract has doses dependent enhancing effect on RBC, Hb and PCV comparable with folic acid. The histological indicated that Ficus sycomorus leaf extract has a mild dose dependent effect. The implied the extract exhibited erythropoeitic properties in the treatment of the experimental model of induced anemia and consequently justified it folklore use in traditional medicine practice.