Anti -Anaemic Potentials of Tigernut Extract Administered on Rat Exposed to Phenylhydrazine Induced Toxicity

Abstract

Anaemia is a public health problem that affect both the rich and poor, and it possess a serious challenge to the health care profession, consequently this research is therefore aim at investigating the anti - anaemic potentials of Tigernut (C. esculentus) extract administered to albino wistar rats exposed to Phenylhydrazine induced toxicity. Forty (40) male albino Wistar rats weighing between 180- 250g were used for this study. They were randomly divided into four (4) groups of ten (10) rats each. Control group received normal feed and drinking water. Extract group received 600mg/kg bw of aqueous extract of Tigernut orally, PHZ group received PHZ induction and PHZ + Extract group received PHZ induction + 600mg/kg bw of aqueous extract of Tigernut. The feeding regimens lasted for 4 weeks, after which blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture for estimation of different parameters. Results showed that ingestion of aqueous extract of C. esculentus was able to reverse the significant decrease in RBC (p<0.01), HB (p<0.001), PCV (p<0.001) and Fe+ (p<0.01) values occasion by PHZ induction, back to appreciable level. In conclusion ingestion of C. esculentus extract is capable of reversing the derogatory effect imposed on hemopoietic processes following PHZ induction. Since C. esculentus is cheap and readily available it can therefore be recommended for the management of anaemic condition pending the availability of a viable health facility.