Haemopoietic and Haematinic Property of the Leaf and Fruit Extract of Solanum Nigrum L (Spp Villosum) in Anaemic Albino Wistar Rats

ABSTRACT Anaemia is a global public health problem affecting both developing and developed countries with major consequences for human health as well as colonial and economic development. There is paucity of data on the use and type of medicinal plants that can be used to alleviate anaemia. Sequel to the fact that orthodox medicine can no longer give answers to our numerous different diseases in which anaemia is one of them. There is an increasing interest in the use of herbal products to supplement for these drugs. This research is designed to investigate the haemopoeitic and haematinic properties of the aqueous leaf and fruit extract of Solanum nigrum L (spp villosum) in phenylhydrazine induced anaemic Albino Wistar Rats. Fresh leaves and fruits of Solanum nigrum were purchased from our major and local markets in Enugu Metropolis. They were shade-dried and pulverised to fine powder. 600g each were extracted using aqueous standard method. The extracts were used to carry out this study. Qualititve phytochemical analysis was done on both the leaf and fruit extract. Determination of iron, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin B12 were done at PRODA. One hundred and ten (110) adult female Albino Wistar Rats were used for this study. Thirty (30) rats were used for acute toxicity testing while the rest were used for other tests. The rats were divided into eight groups of ten (10) rats per group, labeled A to H. The mean weight of the animals in each group was recorded. 500mg of the two extracts (leaf and fruit) and 0.05mls of Astymin were administered to the rats. 4mls of blood were collected from each rat via the retro-orbital plexus of the median canthus of the eye into EDTA bottles and plain tubes. They were anaysled using standard manual and automated methods. Analysis of the complete Blood cell count/bone marrow count of the leaf extract alone revealed significant increase (p.05). It can be concluded that Solanum nigrum L leaf and fruit extract has haemopoietic and haematinic properties, as well as anti-bacterial qualities, and therefore can be used in the management of different anaemic condition and in boosting the immune system.