ANALYSIS OF THE ANTI-ANEMIC POTENTIALS OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF CAPE FIG (Ficus capensis thunb) ON PHENYL HYDRAZINE-INDUCED ANEMIC WISTAR RATS

In this study, the anti-anemic potentials of Ficus capensis thunb on phenyl hydrazine-induced anemic wistar rats was carried out. The qualitative phytochemical screening was done using standard methods. Twenty five (25) wistar rats weighing 120g-150g were used for this study and they were grouped into 5 groups of 5 rats each. Anaemia was induced with the intraperitonial injection of 40 mg/kgbw of phenyl hydrazine twice within 24 hours to the animals. Folic acid was used as a reference drug. Colorimetric methods were used to evaluate the liver enzymes in the serum samples gotten from the different rats while haematological parameters were evaluated using automated haematology analyzer. Investigation of qualitative phytochemical screening of the plant revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, proteins, xanthroprotein, anthraquinones, alkaloids, phenolic compound, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. In the study, administration of phenyl hydrazine twice within 24 hours to the animals led to anaemia judging from significant decrease (p˂0.05) in the levels of White blood cell (WBC), Hemoglobin (HB), Hematocrit (HCT) and Red blood cell (RBC) with a concomitant increase in MID levels as compared to normal rats. There was also significant decrease (p˂0.05) in the levels of Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Alanine transaminase (ALT) as compared to normal rats. Investigation of haematological indices revealed a significant increase in Hematocrit (HCT), Hemoglobin (Hb), Red blood cell (RBC) and White blood cell (WBC) levels respectively with an increase in Monocyte (MID) level in all the groups treated with aqueous leaf extract of Ficus capensis at a doses of 200 and 400mg/kg b.w and also with folic acid at a dose of 10mg/kgbw orally for a period of 28 days compared to all control groups. There was also an observed increase in the liver enzymes as compared with those of the anaemic group. The liver tissues of the anaemic group were characterized with abnormal hepatocytes and congested portal triad. Aqueous leaf extract Ficus capensis mitigated both the decreased blood levels and histological abnormalities. Results showed that Ficus capensis have good phytochemical potentials and may be employed as supplement in food and medicinal formulation for the management of anemia.