2019, Vol. 7, Issue 6, Part C

Materials and Methods: Acute toxicity (LD₅₀) was done using Lorke’s method. Haematological parameters were analysed using automated haematology analyzer. Lipid profile and random glucose levels were carried out using standard laboratory methods. Twenty-five (25) rats were randomly divided into five groups of five rats each. Group A served as a normal control, Group B as anemic control, Group C as standard drug control, Groups D and E served as test groups treated with 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weight of combined ethanol leaf extract of F. capensi s and C. aconitifolius respectively. Administration of the extract lasted for 14 days after which the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected by closed cardiac puncture and used for haematological and lipid profile analysis.

Results: The result of the acute toxicity study showed that the LD₅₀ was above 5000mg/kg b.w. thus, the combination of the two extracts was not toxic. Our findings showed significant increase (p< 0.05) in haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and platelet count of the extract treated groups compared to the anemic untreated group. White blood cells significantly decreased in the extract treated groups compared to the anemic untreated group. The graded doses of the extract combination significantly (p< 0.05) increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) while low density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TCHOL), triglyceride (TRIG) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) were significantly (p< 0.05) reduced compared to anemic untreated group.

Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that combined ethanol leaf extract of F. capensis and C. aconitifolius was safe and may be useful in the management of anemia and lipid profile complications resulting from anemia. This may be due to the anti-anemic potentials of the extract and its ability to normalize the lipid profile complications caused by anemia.