Ameliorative Effect of Methanol Leaf Extract of Phyllanthus nirurion Anaemic Male Wister Rats

Abstract

Background and Objective: Anaemia is a major public health problem which affects people of all ages, especially pregnant women and children. It is effectively treated by blood transfusion but a less expensive and easy approach for remedying anaemia is by the administration of oral supplements, for example, the use of plant extract with active secondary metabolites possessing anti-anaemic properties most especially in cases of iron deficiency anaemia. This study was aimed at investigating the ameliorative effect of methanol extract of Phyllanthus niruri on anaemic male Wister albino rats. Materials and Methods: Samples of fresh Phyllanthus niruri whole plant (roots, stems, leaves and seeds) were collected from Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria. The plant samples were shade dried for 10 days. The dried samples were ground to powder with the aid of a mortar and pestle. The coarse materials were then sieved. Extraction of P. niruri was done by cold maceration with 100% methanol. Twenty male Wister rats were grouped into four groups (n = 5) and acclimatized for 7 days. Anaemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of phenylhydrazine at 40 mg/kg/b.wt., on days 0 and 1. Packed cell volume (PCV) was determined to ensure induction of anaemia. Group 1 received no treatment, group 2 received ferrous sulphate at 75 mg/kg/b.wt. and groups 3 and 4 received 100 mg/kg/b.wt. and 200 mg/kg/b.wt., of methanolic extract of Phyllanthus niruri, respectively. Results: A significant (p<0.05) decrease in weight in groups 1 and 2 animals was observed. Animals whose PCV decreased by 29% were considered anaemic. The PCV levels on days 1 and 2 showed no significant (p>0.05) difference between groups, while a statistically significant (p<0.05) difference in PCV levels was observed on day 19. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in PCV, platelet and eosinophil in groups 3 and 4. Other haematological parameters were not significantly different (p>0.05) between groups. Conclusion: The results suggested that the methanolic extract of P. niruri plant is relatively safe and possesses a significant anti-anaemic property. Therefore, it may be a potential lead in the discovery of drugs for the treatment of heamolytic anaemia.