Evaluation of blood boosting potentials of combined administration of Vigna unguiculata and Citrus limon ethanol extracts using Wister rat models

Abstract

The use of traditional herbal medicines started in ancient times. It is estimated that 80% of world population depend on it for solutions to their health challenges. Currently, there has been enormous increase in the use of herbal medicines attributable to their readily availability, affordability, efficacy and good safety profile. This study evaluated the blood boosting potentials of combined administration of Vigna unguiculata and Citrus limon in rat models. Wister rats (135 – 140 g) were used and Vigna unguiculata and Citrus limon were extracted in ethanol. Apart from some preliminary tests, hematology studies were done using standard methods. The parameters tested included red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), Packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) using hematological analyzer (DxH 560 AL). In the RBC test, combination of Vigna unguculata and Citrus limon recorded a count of 8.07 ± 0.20 x 10-6 on day 15 of treatment. This was highest when compared with the individual administrations which attained 4.04 ± 0.18 and 3.57 ± 0.07 x 10-6 respectively. The combination treatment approached that of the normal control which had RBC count of 8.29 ± 0.13 x10-6. This trend was applicable to other tested parameters. In conclusion, V. unguiculata and C. limon had blood boosting potentials which was more remarkable in the group treated with combination of the two herbs and this was attributed to their phytochemicals such as iron, protein and citric acid as well as their synergistic herb-herb interaction.