ABSTRACT

This study aimed at investigating the anti-anaemic and immunomodulatory potentials of the aqueous, chloroform and methanol leaf extracts of Whitfieldia lateritia on 2, 4- dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH)-induced anaemiain rats. The toxicity study, proximate analysis, phytochemical screening, selected vitamins and mineral analyses of the extracts were carried out using standard procedures. Thirty-six Wistar rats were grouped into six (n =6). Group I: normal control; Group II: negative control; Group III: administered 0.6 mi/kg body weight (b.w) of Astifer (standard Haematinic); Group IV to VI were administered 400 mg/kg b.w. of the aqueous, chloroform and methanol leaf extracts, respectively. Induction of anaemia was achieved in the test groups (IT-VT) by administration of 2, 4- dinitrophenyihydrazine (20 mg/kg b.w.) once daily for seven days. Administration of extracts commenced subsequently and lasted for 21 days. Animals were sacrificed on the 22' day and blood collected for laboratory analysis. Result of the qualitative phytochemical analysis showed that the extracts contained alkaloids, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, reducing sugars and glycosides. The acute toxicity (LD50) test revealed that the extract is safe up to the dose of 5000 mg/kg b. w. The result showed a significant (P <0.05) decrease in PCV and haemoglobin (Hb) levels of group II ratscompared with those of the normal control rats. The rats in groups V and VI showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in PCV and Hb levels compared with those of group II. Groups IV and V showed significant (P< 0.05) increase in WBC count compared with those of group TI. Groups IV, V and VI equally showed significant (P <0.05) increase in neutrophil count compared with those of groups IT and III. However, the lymphocyte count of groups IV, V and VI showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction compared with those of groups II and III. Group TI showed zero percentage (%) of eosinophil count while group III showed significant (P <0.05) reduction in eosinophil count compared with group I. Anaemic rats treated with the extracts showed significant (P <0.05) reduction in monocyte count compared with group III rats. Groups IV, V and VI showed significant (P <0.05) increase in catalase activity compared with those of group III. There was a significant (P <0.05) increase in the glutathione peroxidase activities of groups V and VI compared to group IV. AST, ALT and ALP levels of groups TV and VI were significantly (P <0.05) higher when compared with group IT rats. MDA and vitamin A levels in groups V and VT were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of group III. Vitamin E and C levels in groups V and VI showed significant (P < 0.05) increase compared with those of group TI. The total and direct bilirubin levels of groups IV and VI were non- significantly (P> 0.05) lower compared with group II rats. Similarly, group II rats showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in interleukin 10 concentration while non-significant (P > 0.05) decrease was observed in serum iron concentration compared with those of the normal control rats. Serum iron concentration of group III rats showed significant (P <0.05) increase compared with that of group II rats. In conclusion, W. lateritia leaf has beneficial immunological and haematological properties in Wistar rats and possesses erythropoietic potential at therapeutic dose that supports its use in the treatment of anaemia.