Evaluation of Ethanolic Extract of Withania somnifera on Haloperidol Induced Iron Deficiency Anemia in Albino Rats

Medicinal plants are believed to be useful in strengthening the haematopoietic and immune system. Our objective was to investigate ethanolic extract of the root part of Withania somnifera (WS) on hematological parameters as well as serum iron and serum protein in iron deficiency anaemia induced using haloperidol and observe the morphological changes in red blood cells. The animals were divided into five groups. Group I acted as control, group II was haloperidol control (0.2 mg/kg body weight i.p.), group III was treated with ethanolic extract alone (200 mg/kg body weight i.p.), group IV and V were given HP and ethanolic extract at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight i.p., respectively [1]. Effect of haloperidol on group II showed significant (P < 0.05) decrease in blood parameters, serum iron and serum protein, as compared to control animals group I. Comparison of group II with group III, IV and V exhibited significant (P < 0.05) increase in hematological parameters, serum iron and serum protein after four days and after recovery period study (on 19th day). This effect may be due to presence of iron in extract (947 µg in 50 ml.) estimated quantitatively by spectrophotometric method. Effect of ethanolic extract of Withania somnifera on morphology of blood cells was observed. It accelerated the oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells and showed increased number of RBCs with normal counts and normocytic shape. We conclude that WS exhibited potent haematopoietic activity against haloperidol induced iron deficiency anaemia [2]. Acknowledgements: Thanks go to the University Grant Commission, (UGC-SRF Fellowships) New Delhi for financial support. References: [1] Ziauddin, M.et al (1996) J. of Ethnopharm. p.50: 69–76. [2] Wasti, A., Ghani, R., Manji, M.A. and Siddiqui, N.A., (2004) Pak. J. Med. Sci., Vol. 20 (3), p.197–200.