The Aqueous Extract of Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae) Effectively Treat Induced Anemia. Experimental Study on Wistar Rats

Abstract

<p class="1Body">Anaemia is a serious public health problem especially in developing countries as Benin. <em>Cocos nucifera</em> is one of medicinal plants used in Benin to treat anemia. This study aimed to test its therapeutic efficacy in anemia treatment. <strong>Method:</strong> Five groups of five <em>Wistar</em> rats each were formed. The rats of four groups were rendered anemic by injection of phenylhydrazine (hemolysis) in the first two days D0 and D1. From the second to the fifteenth day (D2 to D15), anemic groups were gavaged either by the aqueous extract of <em>Cocos nucifera</em> at 200 or 300 mg / kg body weight/day, or by vitafer, a reference drug against anemia. The last anemic group was not treated. The group of non-anemic rats served as a control. Blood samples were collected for all rats on days D0, D2, D7, D10 and D15 to assess blood count and osmotic resistance of red blood cells. <strong>Results:</strong> The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, leucoanthocyanes, steroids, quinone derivatives, reducing compounds and mucilage. The extract like the vitafer corrected completely anemia before two weeks by stimulating hemoglobin synthesis, production and early release of immature red cells in the blood stream. Its effect was dose dependent, quite specific and did not affect platelet lineage. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> <em>Cocos nucifera</em> has a good therapeutic efficacy and may be considered for transformation into improved traditional medicines (ITM) after study of its biological tolerance and appropriate clinical trials.</p>

Ethyl acetate fraction of Psorospermum febrifugum Spach aqueous extract did not exhibit acute or sub-chronic toxicity. Experimental study on Wistar rats

“…Therefore, many plants are used against anemia, some of which are very effective. That were the cases of Maguifera indica leaves and stem (Ogbe et al, 2010), Schrebera swietenioides root bark (Pingali et al, 2015), Moringa oleifera leaves (Nwaehujor et al, 2015) and Cocos nucifera root bark (Tchogou et al, 2016).…”

Haematological and biochemical studies on Justicia carnea leaves extract in phenylhydrazine induced-anemia in albino rats

“…Examples of some documented plants and fruits used in the treatment of anemic conditions are Cocos nuciferia (Benin Republic) (Tchogou et al, 2016), leaves extracts of Tectona grandis (Togo) (Diallo et al, 2008) and Justicia secunda Vahl in Benin (Gbenou et al, 2006). The availability of synthetic drugs used in the treatment of a specific disease is common but because of the high cost and side effects associated with their use (Chattopadhyay and Bandyopadhyay, 2005;Oze et al, 2008), attention is currently being focused on the use of medicinal plant products in the prevention or management of various diseases or ailments.…”

Haematological and biochemical studies on Justicia carnea leaves extract in phenylhydrazine induced-anemia in albino rats [pdf]

“…Medicinal plants have been documented as having beneficial properties used for the management of various ailments because they have been discovered to contain bioactive compounds called phytochemicals (Fasuyi, 2006) and secondary metabolites that can protect humans against diseases (Kumar et al, 2009). Examples of some documented plants and fruits used in the treatment of anemic conditions are Cocos nuciferia (Benin Republic) (Tchogou et al, 2016), leaves extracts of Tectona grandis (Togo) (Diallo et al, 2008) and Justicia secunda Vahl in Benin (Gbenou et al, 2006). The availability of synthetic drugs used in the treatment of a specific disease is common but because of the high cost and side effects associated with their use (Chattopadhyay and Bandyopadhyay, 2005;Oze et al, 2008), attention is currently being focused on the use of medicinal plant products in the prevention or management of various diseases or ailments.…”