Background Over two billion people around the world suffer from anemia. Majority of populations are using dietary supplements and herbal medicines for the management of the anemic conditions. Many polyherbal formulations such as Rakt a vardhak K adha (RK) , are available in the Indian market as a nutritional supplement and herbal-based medicine for anemia. Objectives The present study is aimed at investigating antianemic potential of polyherbal formulation, RK, against phenylhydrazine-induced anemia in rats. Materials and methods RK was subjected to preliminary phytochemical analysis and iron estimation. Anemia was induced by phenylhydrazine administration (40 mg/kg, i.p.) for 2 consecutive days. Antianemic activity of RK was investigated at the dose of 1.8 ml/kg, twice daily for 12 days by estimating blood parameters and pathological changes in liver, heart, spleen and bone marrow. Results RK was found to contain saponins, steroids, flavonoids, tannins and phenolic compounds. Iron content was found to be 5 mg/100 ml in RK. Anemia induction by phenylhydrazine injections to rats caused significant decrease in red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin and hematocrit. These decreased levels of RBCs, hemoglobin and hematocrit in blood was significantly improved by the treatment with RK. Furthermore, RK restored pathological changes in liver, heart, spleen and bone marrow tissues near to normal. Conclusion This study suggests antianemic activity of RK, which can be attributed to its iron content and ability to prevent hemolysis.

Raktavardhak kadha is a polyherbal formulation available in the Indian market as a nutritional supplement for the treatment of anemia. The present study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical content and in vitro antioxidant activity of Raktavardhak kadha. A preliminary phytochemical analysis of Raktavardhak kadha was performed to detect the presence of various classes of phytochemicals. The total phenolic and tannin contents were estimated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The aluminium chloride colorimetric method was used for the estimation of the total flavonoid content of Raktavardhak kadha. Antioxidant activity was analyzed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay method. Phytochemical analysis indicated the existence of saponins, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds in the Raktavardhak kadha. The total phenolic content of Raktavardhak kadha was found to be 86.5 mg of gallic acid equivalent per milliliter. The total tannin content of Raktavardhak kadha was found to be 73.33 mg of gallic acid equivalent per milliliter. The total flavonoid content of Raktavardhak kadha was 95.4 mg of quercetin equivalent per milliliter. In the DPPH assay, the IC50 of Raktavardhak kadha was found to be 92.53 ppm. It is concluded that the RK is rich in phytochemical content and has antioxidant properties indicating its high medicinal values. It appears that the presence of flavonoids is responsible for the beneficial effects of Raktavardhak kadha in anemic patients.