Abstract

Anaemia is a serious health problem especially in developing countries. In the tropics, rural dwellers had often resort to herbal treatments in some cases of anaemia. The essence of this work was to ascertain the rational for the use of the leaves of Brillantaisia nitens as a traditional hematinic. The aqueous extract (AE), methanol extract (ME), n-Hexane fraction (HF), chloroform fraction (CF) and methanol fraction (MF) of the leaves were tested for hematinic effects using phenylhydrazine (PHZ) - induced anaemia in rats. Blood parameters such as red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and haematocrit were assayed as indices of anaemia. Analysis of the vitamin and mineral contents of the ME and MF were carried out while phytochemical analysis of the extracts and fractions as well as the LD₅₀ of the ME were determined. The results indicated that the oral administration of AE, ME, CF, HF and MF (400 - 3200 mg/kg/day) exhibited a significant (P < 0.05) hematinic activity by ameliorating PHZ - induced decrease in blood parameters viz, Hb, PCV, WBC and RBC. The hematinic potency was in the order of MF > ME > AE > CF > HF. Vitamin analysis showed that both ME and MF contain adequate amounts of water soluble vitamins (Vitamins B₆, B₁₂, C, and Folic acid), Vit. E and iron in varying concentrations. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts and fractions indicated high concentration of glycosides, alkaloids and resins while flavonoids, terpenoids, carbohydrates and saponins occurred in trace amounts. The oral LD₅₀ value of the ME was greater than 5000 mg/kg, indicating the high safety profile of B. nitens. These results conclude the presence of hematinic principles in the leaves of B. nitens, thus justifying its use in the management of anemia especially in children.

Key words: Brillantaisia nitens, hematinic effects, phenylhydrazine, blood parameters, rats.