Comparative study of haematinic and iron utilization property of pre and flowering plant leaf extracts of <i>Asteracantha longifolia</i> (L.) Nees

Abstract

The study was conducted to validate and compare the haematinic property of pre-flowering and flowering <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Asteracantha longifolia</i> (L.) Nees leaf extract. A phenylhydrazine induced anaemic rat model was used for this study. Concentrate hot water extract of succulent aerial part of pre-flowering and flowering leaf was orally administered @ 40 mg kg-1 body weight for 30 days, and equivalent weight of crude leaf was also administered to observe as well as to compare the amelioration and iron utilization. Pre- flowering extract effectively improved the concentration of membrane bound haemoglobin, RBC indices, and concentration of serum copper and cobalt; and normalized free haemoglobin concentration, percent of haematocrit, serum cobalt concentration, and lipid peroxidation. Pre-flowering extract also normalized the serum iron concentration. This observation could justify the indusion of pre-flowering extract to ameliorate anaemic condition caused by haemolysis due to the reduction of serum iron and free haemoglobin concentration and improvement of RBC bound haemoglobin concentration. The plant extract contains anti-oxidants and other constituents like, Cu, Co, Fe.