ABSTRACT

Anemia is characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood, leading to inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues and organ. Research has shown that plant-based remedies, such as Justica carnea and Almond leaves may possess anti-anemic properties. This study adopted experimental design to evaluate the vitamins, mineral, proximate composition, phytochemicals and anti-anemic potentials of Justica carnea and Almond leaves extracts on the hematological status of anemic induced rat. The leave extract was performed using standard method of leaf extraction. Experimental adult wister rats consisting of thirty (30) were assigned to six (6) groups of five (5) rats each and were induced with anemia using 50mg/ml or phenyl-hydrazine. Blood samples were collected and analyzed to establish anemia before treatment. One group received standard treatment using fesolate at 100mg/kg and 500mg/kg body weight (STD100mg/kg), another group received no treatment while the remaining four (4) groups received Justica carnea and Almond leaves extracts each at 300mg/kg and 500mg/kg body weight (JC 300mg/kg, JC 500mg/kg, AL 300mg/kg and AL 500mg/kg). the proximate, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and hematological parameters including hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were evaluated using standard methods. Data on proximate, minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals were analysed using one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA), while the effect of treatment was analysed using paired sample t-test. The study showed the proximate composition of the methanol extract of the leaves; moisture content (51.84 – 55.45%), crude protein (6.43 – 5.87%), fat (0.29 – 0.24%), crude fiber (0.16 – 0.12%), ash (1.67 – 1.42%), carbohydrate (39.60 – 36.86%) energy (173.16 – 186.74kcal). Mineral analyses showed ranges of iron (0.80 – 0.85mg/100g), zinc (0.64 – 0.71mg/100g), calcium (72.62 – 83.75mg/100g), potassium (124.77 – 132.79mg/100g) and sodium (32.82 – 33.71 mg/100g). Vitamin analyses showed vitamin C (20.63 – 25.07mg/100g), vitamin E (3.51 – 5.20 mg/100g), vitamin B₁₂ (3.68 – 4.47mg/100g). Phytochemical analyses showed ranges of tannins (2.70 – 4.06mg/100g), phytate (0.51 – 0.99mg/100g), saponin (2.45 – 2.53mg/100g), oxalate (3.60 – 3.67mg/100g), alkaloid (1.11 – 2.61mg/100g), flavonoid (1.53 – 2.01mg/100g) and phenol (2.26 – 2.76mg/100g). The result showed that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the mean baseline Hb (16.94g/dl) and mean end-line Hb (14.40g/dl) of the anemic rats after treating anemia. The result also showed that both extracts significantly increased hematological parameters, increasing hematological levels (31.71 – 49.16%), packed cell volume PCV (73.39 – 91.87%) and red blood cell count (54.61 – 80.79%), while decreasing the white blood cell count WBC (15.38 – 29.57%). The extracts showed a significant decrease in mean corpuscular hemoglobin level (11.25 – 18.12%) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (16.79 – 24.87%). The study therefore concludes that methanol extract of Justicia Carnea and almond could be used for antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. Hence, the use of these indigenous leaves should be adopted for therapeutic purposes.