Telfairia Occidentalis as a Phytotherapeutic Agent for Chemical (Phenylhydrazine) Induced Anaemia

Introduction: Anaemia is a medical condition characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells and the amount of haemoglobin in the blood leading to inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues and organs. Telfairia occidentalis is a dietary leafy vegetable with phytochemicals that are beneficial to human health. Methodology: Anaemia was induced in rats by oral administration of phenylhydrazine and subsequently followed by administration of aqueous extract of T. occidentalis at 100mg and 200mg/kg respectively. At the expiration of the study, blood samples were taken from the animals for evaluation of red blood cell parameters. Results: The red blood cell count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration of the Non extract anaemic group were significantly depressed. The corresponding values for the extract groups were similar to those of the control. Conclusion: The extract of Telfairia occidentalis was able to reverse the anaemia induced by oral administration of phenylhydrazine in animal model.