Studies on the Phytochemical and Nutritional Composition of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Justicia Carnea and its Effect on Some Biochemical Parameters in Anaemic Rats.
ABSTRACT
Anaemia is a common blood disorder that affects people of all ages, though people at greater risk are the elderly, young women and infants. Different drugs are used but many depend mainly on plants and herbal products for its treatment. In this study, the aqueous leaf extract of Justicia carnea was used. The percentage yield of the extract was 18.43. The proximate constituents of the extract were 4.61 ± 0.14 % (moisture), 2.66 ± 0.31 % (fats), 9.26 ± 0.02 % (ash), 3.68 ± 0.23 % (crude fibre), 26.71 ± 0.02 % (protein) and 53.07 ± 0.07 % (carbohydrates).
The anti-nutrientive constituents were 0.06 ± 0.21 mg/g (phytate), 0.06 ± 0.00 TIU/mg (trypsin inhibitor), 0.06 ± 0.04 mg/g (oxalate), 0.07 ± 0.00 mg/g (hydrogen cyanide) and 0.38 ± 0.02 HIU/mg (haemagglutinin); while the vitamin contents were 1.37 ± 0.40 mg/g (B1), 2.50 ± 0.50 mg/g (B2), 0.04 ± 0.00 mg/g (B6), 0.05 ± 0.00 mg/g (B12), 0.77 ± 0.03 mg/g (B9), 2.97 ± 0.05 µg/g (A), 36.69 ± 0.83 mg/g (C), 0.30 ± 0.00 mg/g (E) and some minerals include 8.61± 0.38 µg/g (iron), 0.03± 0.00 mg/g (copper), 1.96 ± 0.01 µg/g (zinc), 1.06 ± 0.01 % (magnesium) and 4.59 ± 0.00 % (calcium) were also present.
The acute toxicity test of the aqueous leaf extract of Justicia carnea showed no death in the mice up to 5000 mg/kg body weight of the extract. To assess the effect of the aqueous leaf extract of Justicia carnea on selected haematological and biochemical parameters, animals used were grouped into seven of four rats each. Anaemia was induced using the method described by Stone, 1954 in five groups (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) while group 1 (not treated) and group 7 (treated with 500 mg/kg body weight of the extract) were not induced with anaemia.
INTRODUCTION
Blood is a bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transport metabolic waste products away from those same cells. There are three major categories, each of which has specific functions (Ballard, 1997). The white blood cell (WBCs), or leukocytes, engage in defense of the body against foreign microorganisms or toxic substances as well as mediate immune response. The WBCs are sub-divided further into three groups; granulocytes, monocytes and macrophages, and lymphocytes (T-cells and B-cells).
The platelets help maintain the integrity of the blood vessels by stimulating blood clotting (i.e., coagulation) after an injury. Red blood cells (RBCs), also called erythrocytes, transport oxygen from the lungs to all the cells in the body and carry carbon dioxide from the cells back to the lungs (Ballard, 1997). Anaemia is a widespread public health problem associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, especially in pregnant women and young children (WHO, 2002).
Among the numerous factors, both nutritional, that contribute to the onset of anaemia, iron deficiency and malaria play an important role. Others include; inherited genetic defects, medication-related side effects, and chronic disease (WHO, 2002). Man has been using herbs and plant products in combating diseases since time immemorial. The traditional system of medicine has been such that larger percentages of the populations in Africa and Asia depend on indigenous system for relief of symptoms of various diseases.
Regular consumption of plant foods are associated with numerous health benefits rooted in their various physiological effects as a result of their phytochemical and nutritional constituents (Hunter and Fletcher, 2002). Green leafy vegetables are particularly important in promoting health because of their rich content of nutrients (Gupta and Prakash, 2009). A good number of medicinal plants are traditionally employed in alleviating anaemia.
REFERENCES
Aksel, B. (2010). A Brief Review on Bioactive Compounds in Plants In: Bioactive Compounds
in Plants – Benefits and Risks for Man and Animals. National Veterinary Institute, Oslo,
Norway. pp. 11-13.Alada, A.R.A. (2000). The haematological effect of Telfelria occidentalis diet preparation.
African Journal of Biomedical Resource, 3(3): 185-186.Alayash, A.I. (2004). Oxygen therapeutics: Can we tame haemoglobin? Nature Reviews Drug
Discovery, 3: 152-155.Amadi, B.A., Ibegbulem, C.O. and Egbebu, A.C. (2006). Assessment of the effect of aqueous
extract of (Asimina triloba) root on organ weights and liver function of albino rats.
International Journal of Natural and Applied Science, 2: 79-81.Andrews, N. C. (2008). Forging a field: The golden age of iron biology. Blood, 112: 219-225.
Andrews, N.C. (1999). Disorders of iron metabolism. The New England Journal of Medicine,
341: 1986-1995.AOAC. (1984). Official Methods of Analysis, 12th Edition. Association of Analytical Chemist,
Washington D.C. pp. 74-75.AOAC. (1990). Official Methods of Analysis. 15th Edition, Washington, D.C.; Association of
Official Analytical Chemist, pp. 69-88.APHA. (1998). Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Waste Water. 19th edition
American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and Water
Pollution Control Federation, Washington, D.C.
StudentsandScholarship Team.
Be the first to comment