Abstract
Introduction: Ficus capensis has been used in traditional medicine to treat anaemia, tuberculosis, convulsion, pains, wounds, respiratory disorders, and other health challenges. This study investigated the effect of F. capensis ethanolic leaf extract in phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced anaemia in Wistar rats. Methods: Induction of anaemia was done by intraperitoneal administration of PHZ (40 mg/kg for 48 hours). A normal group and an anaemic group were treated daily with a single dose of 20 mL/kg of distilled water and considered as control and anaemic (non-treated) groups. Then, the remaining groups were treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of ethanol extract of F. capensis leaves for 21 days, respectively. Blood samples from the rats were run in three batches of baseline, post anaemia induction, and post-treatment. Phytochemical screening and acute toxicity tests of the extract were also carried out following standard procedures. Results: The results showed a consistent significant increase in haematological parameters among various experimental groups. Haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), packed cell volume (PCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values of treated rats were significantly increased compared to the anaemic control. The secondary metabolites of leaf extract were alkaloids, saponins, tannins, steroids, flavonoids, phenols, and reducing sugar, while the acute toxicity test was found to be non-toxic at 5000 mg/kg in rats. Conclusion: The ethanol leaf extract of F. capensis might provide an alternative cure for anaemia and boosts blood count.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
