Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate the protective role of different fractions of Epilobium hirsutum on the toxic effects of iron on hematological value in Sprague–Dawley rats. Material and Methods: Iron overload was induced by injecting six IP injections of iron dextran (12.5 mg/100 g) uniformly for 30 days. Different fractions of E. hirsutum were given orally and deferoxamine subcutaneously for 30 days. The hematological parameters were evaluated on 15–30 days of treatment. Results: The animal exposed to iron presented a significant (P < 0.01) reduction in red blood corpuscles, total and differential white blood cells, and platelet levels. This shows that the overabundance of iron in iron overloaded conditions can lead to bone marrow suppression. These influences of iron overload were prevented by concurrent daily administration of a methanolic fraction of methanolic extract and a methanolic fraction of aqueous extract of E. hirsutum. Conclusion: The results indicate that 300 mg/kg for 30 days shows better beneficial effects as compared to 150 mg/kg for 15 days of treatment. Our results endorsed that E. hirsutum has beneficial effects on hematological parameters in iron intoxicated Sprague–Dawley rats.

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The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of methanolic extract of roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. was evaluated by carrageenan induced paw oedema and acetic acid induced writhing reflex, respectively, in rats using different doses. Both the activities were compared with indomethacin (10 mg/kg). The methanolic extract of roots of G. glabra (250 and 500 mg/kg) produces the significant (p<0.05) reduction in the formation of oedema induced by carrageenan. In the acetic acid induced writhing model, the extract had a good analgesic effect characterized by a significantly reduction (p<0.05) in the number of writhes when compared to the control and standard. Hence, the methanolic extract of roots of G. glabra (250 and 500 mg/kg) shows positive anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity at dose dependent manner particularly by attenuating the peripheral pain mechanism.

Iron overload disease is a group of heterogeneous disease, which is caused either due to hereditary or acquired condition. Excess of iron participate in redox reactions that catalyzes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increases oxidative stress, which causes cellular damage and encourage the cell injury and cell death. The electronic databases of Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar have been intensively searched for the research as well as review articles published with the full text available and with the key words such as natural iron chelating agent, synthetic iron chelating agents, iron overload disease, oxidative stress and antioxidant which were appearing in the title, abstract or keywords. In light of the literature review presented in this artial, based on meta-analyses, we suggest that iron chelating agents were used for the management of iron overload disease. These agents were having wide spectrum of activity, they were not only used for the management of iron overload disease but also used as anticancer and antioxidant in various oxidative stress mediated diseases. Last from many years Desferoxamine (DFO) was used as standard iron chelator but currently two new synthetic iron chelators such as Deferiprone (DFP) and Deferasirox (DFS) are available clinically. These clinically available synthetic iron chelators were having serious side effects and certain limitations. Phytochemicals such as flavonoids and polyphenols compounds were having iron chelating as well as antioxidant property with no or minimal side effects. Hence, this review provides an updates on natural iron chelation therapy for the safe and efficacious management of iron overload diseases.