Effect of hydro-methanol stem bark extract of Burkea africana on erythrocyte osmotic fragility and haematological parameters in acetaminophen-poisoned rats

Abstract

Background Burkea africana is a widely used medicinal plant in folkloric medicine in many developing countries of the world. It is useful in the treatment of various ailments including hepatitis, jaundice, diarrhea, stomach aches, abscesses, oedema, epilepsy, bloody diarrhea, gonorrhea, syphilis, toothaches and poisoning. Nevertheless, there are little or no scientific evidence to substantiate this medicinal claim by traditional healers. Burkea africana stem bark was therefore, investigated for its protective or stabilizing effect on erythrocyte membrane in acetaminophen-treated rats. B. africana stem bark was extracted using 80% methanol. Erythrocyte stabilizing effect was studied using erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) test. Thirty (30) male rats were randomly assigned into five (5) groups of six (6) rats each. Groups 1 and 2 served as normal control and negative control (acetaminophen-treated group) respectively. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were pretreated with methanol stem bark extract of Burkea africana (MSBEBA) at doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight respectively once daily for seven (7) days. Blood samples were collected from the animals in all the groups on the 8 day for evaluation of packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell, white blood cell counts, and differential white blood cell count as well as erythrocyte osmotic fragility. Results The erythrocyte osmotic fragility test showed that there was a significantly (p < 0.05) low percentage hemolysis in the groups pre-treated with the extract when compared with the negative control. The percentage hemolysis was least at 600 mg/kg body weight of the extract. There was also a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell count at all the doses of the extract used. Neutrophils were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased while lymphocytes were significantly increased in the groups administered MSBEBA 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight. Conclusion Methanol stem bark extract of Burkea africana had protective effect on the red blood cells and also improved haematological parameters. This indicates that Burkea africana may be useful in the treatment of disease conditions that results in hemolytic anemia by stabilizing red erythrocyte membranes and enhancing erythropoiesis.

Impact of Ethanolic Extract of Dissotis rotundifolia Leaves on Wistar Rat Erythrocyte Membrane

“…Osmotic fragility curve for the rat erythrocytes exposed to different doses of Dissotis rotudifolia extract is presented in figure 1. The haemolysis pattern of rat erythrocyte suspended in increasing concentration of saline conforms to published report by Chikezie and Uwakwe, [5], Saad and Habib, [6], Swem et al, [7] and Duchnowicz et al, [20]. Osmotic fragility is affected by certain factors including the chemical composition of the membrane and its viscoelasticity [21].…”

“…Erythrocyte fragility is affected by the composition and integrity of the membrane, and the cell surface-area to volume ratio [2]. Drugs [3,4] and medicinal plants [5,6,7,8] have been reported as some of the external factors that can influence erythrocyte osmotic fragility [9].…”

Antiplasmodial, antinociceptive and antipyretic potential of the stem bark extract of Burkea africana and identification of its antiplasmodial-active fraction

“…In a different study, the authors reported that a hydromethanol extract of B. africana stem bark preserved erythrocyte integrity and displayed hematopoietic effects, and this may support the absence of significant hemolytic effect of B. africana extract in this study. 30 Besides, an ethanol extract of the plant showed a non-cytotoxic effect on normal cells and a non-cancerous cell line but was preferentially cytotoxic to a cancerous cervical cell line. 31 This renders the extract as a potential antiplasmodial agent that will not exert deleterious effects on host erythrocytes and other body cells.…”

Unveiling the Antianemic Activity, Physicochemical Aspects, Antioxidant Properties, and Mineral Profile of Petroselinum crispum L

“…The osmotic fragility test enables the diagnosis of erythrocyte abnormalities in several diseases, including autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thalassemia, and hereditary spherocytosis . A preliminary evaluation of the safety profile of drugs and the discovery of hidden pathologies requires such analysis . The erythrocyte fragility test is a concentration analysis method.…”