Anti-anemic Effect of Momordica Cymbalaria Methanolic Extract on Phenylhydrazine Induced Experimental Rats

Abstract

Introduction: The anti-anemic potential of Momordica cymbalaria fruits extract was assessed in phenyl hydrazine induced anemia in experimental animals by determining the hematology parameters, iron content, reticulocyte count, bleeding and clotting time, as well as the assessment of heart, liver and spleen weight in the experimental animals.

Methods: The rats administered with phenyl hydrazine exhibited significant reduction in the hematological parameters such as red blood cell count, hemoglobin level and hematocrit values and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) levels.

Results: On administration of Momordica cymbalaria fruits extract significantly increased the red blood cell count, hemoglobin level and hematocrit values and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) levels as compared to anemic control group. The phenyl hydrazine intoxicated animals significantly decreased the iron content and increased reticulocyte count in blood. The administration of different doses of Momordica cymbalaria fruits extract attenuated the iron content and reticulocyte count in blood. The clotting and bleeding time of blood was increased in animals treated with phenyl hydrazine. The administration of various doses of Momordica cymbalaria fruits significantly decreased the clotting and bleeding time. The marked increased in the weights of organs such as heart, liver and spleen were   observed in animals treated with phenyl hydrazine. The significant reduction organs weights were observed in animals treated with different doses of Momordica cymbalaria fruits extract. The results obtained from the present study provides evidence of the anti-anemic potential of Momordica cymbalaria fruits extract against phenyl hydrazine induced anemia.

Conclusion: The observed anti-anemic activity of Momordica cymbalaria fruits extract may be due to the presence of phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, saponins, iron content and vitamin C and its anti-oxidant activity could be the reason for anti anemic activity of the title plant.