Effects of Ambrosia maritima (Damsissa) ethanolic extract on phenylhydrazine hydrochloride-induced anaemia in rabbits (Lepus cuniculus)

Abstract

This work was performed to evaluate the anti-anaemic activity of the ethanolic extract of Ambrosia maritima (Damsissa) in phenylhydrazine hydrochloride (PHZ)-induced anaemia in rabbits. Twenty-five adult rabbits of different sexes were equally divided into 5 groups. The induction of anaemia was performed by subcutaneous administration of PHZ at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight and maintained a dose of 15 mg/kg body weight. Ethanolic extract of A. maritima was orally administered to the groups at different dose rates (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight) and blood samples were collected at different intervals of time for heamatological examinations. The investigated haematological parameters included Hb concentration, total erythrocytes count (RBCs), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The results revealed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in Hb concentration, RBCs count and PCV as well as a significant increase in MCV and MCH in response to PHZ-treatment.No significant changes were observed in MCHC throughout the duration of the experiment.The data demonstrated that A. maritima ameliorated hemolytic anemia (anti-anaemic effect). Oral treatment with A. maritime extract did not demonstrate any toxic effect at the given doses as marked by hematological data. Key words: Hemolytic anemia, phenylhydrazin, Ambrosia maritima, anti-anaemic effect.