Assessment Of The Antioxidant and Antianemic Properties Of Hydro-Methanolic Extracts of Indigofera Pulchra In Wistar Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Anemia is a multifactorial condition that can be associated with hemolysis and oxidative insults related to various diseases worldwide and in subtropical regions of Africa. Decoctions of Indigofera pulchra are used to treat anemia that may be associated with oxidative insults. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant and antihemolytic properties of hydro-methanolic extracts of this plant.

Materials and methods: DPPH and FRAP tests were performed to assess the antioxidant activities of the extracts. Hemoglobin level, reticulocyte count, and erythrocyte osmotic fragility were evaluated in different groups of phenylhydrazine-induced anemic Wistar rats receiving orally distilled water (negative control), folic acid and iron (positive control), and different doses of the extract.

Results: The IC50 value for the DPPH radical scavenging activity of I. pulchra extract was 295.5 ± 50.8 μg/mL and 16-fold higher than quercetin’s (P-value = 0.032). The FRAP of I. pulchra extracts yielded 40.8 ± 2.5 mmol FeSO4/g corresponding to an EC50 of 180± 26.0 μg/mL which was 7.4-fold higher than the FRAP EC50 value of quercetin (P-value < 0.001). There was no significant effect of the extract on phenylhydrazine-induced anemia and erythrocyte osmotic fragility in rats.

Conclusion: Despite its use in traditional medicine and observed antioxidant activity, Indigofera pulchra extracts showed no significant antianemic effect.