EFFECTS OF RAW AND BOILED LEAVES OF ADANSONIA DIGITATA ON ALUMINIUM CHLORIDE-INDUCED ANAEMIC RATS

Abstract

Adansonia digitata leaf owns a vast collection of therapeutic and nutritional uses. In this study, the effect of feed fortified with raw and boiled leaves of A. digitata on aluminum chloride-induced anaemia in rats was determined. A total of twenty-one rats were assigned into seven groups (n=3), anaemia was induced in groups 2 to 6 with aluminum chloride. Groups 4, 5, 6 and 7 were fed with rat chow fortified with 20% and 40% of raw and boiled A. digitata leaves while groups (1-3) were tagged normal, negative and standard. Reduction in feed intake and body weight of rats in the untreated group as compared to the normal control was observed. However, the group treated with boiled leaves demonstrated increased body weight (133.44 ± 0.68 g) as compared to the normal group (127.99 ± 1.63 g). Anaemia induction brought about a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in RBC, MCV, WBC, neutrophils and PCV in rats when compared with the normal rats. Although, treatment with 40% fortified boiled leaves of A. digitata reversed these altered parameters. This study indicates that A. digitata leaves possess anti-anaemic activities and it can be implored further for the management of anaemia.