Solanum macrocarpon Leaf Ameliorates Phenylhydrazine-induced Hemolytic Anemia, Hepatotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats

Several epidemiological studies have reported that the consumption and usage of plant food with bioactive content is associated with reduced incidence of pathologies. This study investigated the protective role of the aqueous leaf extract of Solanum macrocarpon against hemolytic anemia and liver toxicity caused by Phenylhydrazine in rats. The study was comprised of five groups (six albino rats each). Group 1 was normal control orally given normal saline once daily. Group II was an anemic group while Group III was orally given a daily dose of 300mg/kg Solanum macrocarpon aqueous leaf extract for 14 days. Group IV was induced with anemia and thereafter orally treated with 300mg/kg Solanum macrocarpon aqueous leaf extract for 14 days while Group V was induced with anemia and thereafter treated with 100mg/kg Ascorbic acid orally once daily for 14 days. Group II, IV, and V were intraperitoneally once daily induced hemolytic anemia with 50mg/kg Phenylhydrazine for three days consecutively. All rats were sacrificed on day 15. The observed significant reduction (p<0.05) in red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), and Platelet count following Phenylhydrazine-induced anemia were attenuated after Solanum macrocarpon administration. Phenylhydrazine-induced anemia also increased significantly (p<0.05) aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) content with a concomitant decrease in catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), all mitigated and reversed toward normalcy by Solanum macrocarpon leaf and Ascorbic acid corroborated by hepatic histopathological analysis. Thus, Solanum macrocarpon comparing favorably with ascorbic acid administration attenuated Phenylhydrazine-induced hemolytic anemia, toxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation via mechanisms that involved its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.