Haemopoietic activity of hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract

The controlled proliferation and differentiation of blood cells occurs in a highly organized system Haemopoiesis results in the formation of the cellular components of blood. Hibiscus sabdariffa is a common garden plant found in the tropics. Hibiscus tea is generally consumed by the general population as a pro-health drink. This research investigated the haemopoietic activity of fractionated Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx and identified chemical compounds present. The study adopted the experimental research design. Thin-layer and column chromatograph was used to purify and separate the extracts into fractions while LC-MS was used to identify the chemical constituents of the fractions. Male albino rats (64) aged 16-18weeks was used for the study. The extracts yielded seven fractions. Anaemia was induced by oral administration of 10mg/kg body weight phenylhydrazine for 3 days and 1ml of 0.5mg/kg body weight of each fraction was given to treatment groups. Blood sample (2.0ml) was collected on days 8, 15 and 22 from the retro-orbital plexus. Interleukin 3 (IL-3) and erythropoetin (EPO) were assayed were using the ELISA technique and haematological parameters by the electrical impedance method. Phytochemical screening revealed that the aqueous extracts is rich in flavonoids, terpenoids and anthocyanins. On day 8, there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in IL-3 EPO and Retics within the groups of rats treated with fractions 6 (36.55±18.74) and 7(68.50±2.26) when compared with positive control group (52.70±1.13) On day 15, there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in IL-3 and EPO within the groups of rats treated with fraction 1(54.85±1.91; 16.50±0.99), fraction 5(43.95±2.05; 13.25±0.35), fraction 6(42.40±0.85; 52.80±1.98) and fraction 7(62.85±3.32; 77.50±4.10) when compared with positive control group (54.00±1.98; 12.75±0.07). On day 22, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in IL-3, EPO and Retics within the groups of rats. Also there was no significant difference in the mean body weight (P>0.05). The red cells, white cells and platelets values were not significantly altered on day 22. The Bone marrow was normocellular with normal myeloid/erythroid ratio. The study revealed that fractions 6 and 7 promotes haemopoietic activity in anaemic rats however the haemopoietic activity induced by fraction 7 was fastest.