Effect of Hydroethanolic Extract of Fleurya Aestuans on Haematological Parameters and Oxidative Indices of Phenylhydrazin Induced Toxicity

Abstract

Fleurya aestuans popularly called West Indian Wood Nettle is known for its therapeutic potential as it has been long used by herbalists in managing many diseases. The haematinic efficacy of the leaves of this plant was examined in this study.  A total of 43 rats were procured, 13 rats were used for lethal dose (LD50) studies while the remaining 30 rats were grouped into six groups of five rats each and allowed to acclimatize for two weeks.  Groups 1 served as control and were administered 2ml/kg of the extract vehicle, group 2 served as negative control, groups 3 and 4 served as test group and were administered with 50 mg per body weight of Fleurya aestuans leaf extract and 200 mg per body weight of same extract, while group 5 and 6 were administered with 0.23 ml per body weight of bioferon and 100 mg per body weight of Kaempferol respectively. Phenyl hydrazine was used to induce the anaemia in all the groups; the extract was prepared and administered orally using oral gavage. Blood samples were collected through ocular puncture after 14 days and analysed for haematological parameters using standard manual methods. Results showed that the extract significant (P < 0.05) enhanced the low levels RBC counts, Hb concentration, PCV, SOD, CAT and GSH levels but reduced the abnormally elevated levels of MCV, MCHC, MDA, WBC and Platelets counts. The oral administration of Fleurya aestuans leaf extract could be useful both in boosting blood parameters and combating diseases irrespective of the anaemia and leukocytosis caused by phenylhydrazine therapy.