Antianaemic property of Ficus capensis leaves and its combination with Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves in phenylhydrazine-induced anemic rats

Introduction: Anemia is a common health condition caused by a decrease in red blood cells. Some medicinal plants are used as a remedy to treat anemia. This study compares the anti-anemic properties of different doses of the aqueous extracts of Ficus capensis (AEFC) and its combination with the aqueous extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (AECA) in phenylhydrazine-induced anemic rats. Methods: Anemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg phenylhydrazine for five consecutive days. Graded doses of the extracts were given by oral gavage once a day continuously for 30 days. At the end of the treatment, blood was collected for hematological analysis. Results: The antianemic effects of AEFC and its combination with AECA were demonstrated by significant increases (P 0.05) in the hemoglobin (HGB), packed cell volume (PCV) and red blood cell (RBC) count of the extract-treated groups compared to the anemic control group. There was a better increase in the HGB levels of a combination of 400 mg/kg AEFC + AECA (13.97 ± 2.53) compared to 400 mg/kg AEFC (12.06 ± 0.02). The PCV increased more in 400 mg/kg combination of AEFC + AECA (41.94 ± 0.37) compared to 400 mg/kg AEFC (36.31 ± 1.51). A significant (P 0.05) increase was observed in the RBC count of a combination of 400 mg/kg AEFC + AECA (6.36±0.51) compared to 400 mg/kg AEFC (4.75 ± 0.46). Conclusion: Although AEFC improved the haematological parameters of the animals when administered alone, its combination with AECA yielded a far much better result by totally restoring the haematological parameters of the phenylhydrazine-induced anemic rats to normal.