ISSN 2736-1624
Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 10 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Response of Trypanosoma brucei brucei–induced anaemia to a commercial herbal preparation
Patrick O Erah1*, Canice C Asonye2 and Augustine O Okhamafe1
1Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
2Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Accepted 15 October, 2019
Abstract
Jubi Formula® is a herbal preparation made from three medicinal herbs (Parquetina nigrescens, Sorghum bicolor and Harungana madagascariensis). It has been reported to have been successfully used in the treatment of anaemia in humans. A study was therefore carried out to determine the effect of the preparation on packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations in anaemic rabbits. The PCV and Hb concentrations of healthy rabbits infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei were monitored for 49 days. T. b. brucei produced a significant reduction in PCV and Hb concentrations in all infected rabbits when compared with the controls (p<0.05). These hematological parameters were restored to normal levels in the anaemic rabbits by the herbal preparation. The anaemic rabbits not treated with the herbal preparation presented with a progressive decline in their PCV and Hb concentrations and majority of them died before the end of the study. Healthy rabbits that received daily doses of the herbal preparation showed gradual elevation in PCV and Hb concentrations which were maintained within normal range. Jubi Formula® can restore the PCV and Hb concentrations in anaemic conditions and is a potential substitute for blood transfusion. However, further studies are needed to investigate the potentials of the herbal preparation in reversing anaemia.
Key words: Anaemia, PCV, rabbits, haemoglobin, herbal preparation.