Haematoprotective and red blood cell membrane stabilizing effects of Justicia carnae leaf extracts in sodium nitrate-treated rats

Eberechukwu Mbanaso; Azubuike Nwankwo; Solomon Nnah Ijioma; Okezie Emmanuel; Eziuche Amadike Ugbogu; Ngozi Nwagbara; Kingsley Ugwuanyi

doi:10.1515/jbcpp-2019-0275

Article

Haematoprotective and red blood cell membrane stabilizing effects of Justicia carnae leaf extracts in sodium nitrate-treated rats

Eberechukwu Mbanaso , Azubuike Nwankwo , Solomon Nnah Ijioma , Okezie Emmanuel , Eziuche Amadike Ugbogu , Ngozi Nwagbara and Kingsley Ugwuanyi

Published/Copyright: July 13, 2020

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From the journal Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology Volume 32 Issue 1

Abstract

Objectives

Traditionally, Justicia carnae is used in treatment of anaemia. In this study, the haematoprotective effects of ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts of J. carnae were evaluated in sodium nitrate-treated male rats.

Methods

Acute toxicity values, phytochemical, vitamin B12, vitamin C and iron contents of the extracts were analytically determined. Seventy (70) adult rats divided into seven groups of 10 rats each were assigned specific treatments. Group I served as the normal control, while group II was treated with the induction agent (sodium nitrate (NaNO₃), 300 mg/kg body weight) only. Group III was pretreated with fesolate before NaNO₃ induction, while groups IV to VII received leaf extracts in addition to induction. The daily oral treatments lasted for 28 days and at the end, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for haematological studies.

Results

Results obtained revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, terpenes, saponins, alkaloids, vitamins C, B₁₂ and iron in both extracts. The LD₅₀ value for each extract was >5,000 mg/kg body weight. There were increased significant co-administration effects (p < 0.05) in red blood cell, packed cell volume, haemoglobin, white blood cells and platelet counts in the extract and fesolate treated groups compared to negative control. Bleeding time values were not significantly altered in all test groups (p > 0.05), but the increased clotting time values were lowered to about normal values following treatment with the extracts.

Conclusions

The results showed that J. carnae extract has haematoprotective potential and may be a good candidate for haematopoiesis.

Keywords: haematoprotective; Justicia carnae; osmotic fragility; sodium nitrate

Corresponding author: Okezie Emmanuel, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia, Nigeria, emma.okezie@abiastateuniversity.edu.ng

Research funding: None declared.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Ethical approval: Ethical approval was sought for and obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria, where the research was carried out with ethics certificate number MOUAU/VPP/EC/16/007.

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Received: 2019-09-19

Accepted: 2020-03-16

Published Online: 2020-07-13

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2019-0275

Keywords for this article

haematoprotective; Justicia carnae; osmotic fragility; sodium nitrate