Comparative analysis of Justicia carnea and Telfaria occidentalis leaf extract as blood boosters in male wistar rats

Abstract

This study compared the efficacy Justicia carnea and Telfaria occidentalis leaf extract as blood boosters in Male Wistar Rats. Justicia carnea is a medicinal plant widely used as a blood tonic in Nigeria. The leaves of the plant are boiled and the crimson liquid consumed mostly by Anaemic patients, women who want to replenish their blood after their menstrual cycle and pregnant women. Nine male Wistar rats were weighed and randomly grouped into three with Group one (1) -control, group two (2) J. carnea leaf extract group, and group three- T. occidentalis group. Group one were given animal feed pellets and water ad libitum, group 2 were administered 100mg/Kg Body weight of J. carnea extract while group 3 were given 100mg/Kg Body weight of T. occidentalis by gavage  for 7 days. The results show packed cell volume for T. occidentalis (50%) and J. carnea (47.5%) which was higher than the PCV of the control group (40.67%). The Red Blood Cell Count for T. occidentalis showed the highest value (18 million/mm³) and 15 million/mm³ for the J. carnea when compared to the control (12 million/mm³). This shows that adding T. occidentalis to the diet can stimulate red blood cell production, due to the presence of Iron and B vitamins that can boost health and vitality.