Proximate Analysis and the Curative Properties of Ipomoea batatas Lam in Phenylhydrazine-induced Anaemic Rats

Abstract

This work was done to validate the claim made by some herbalist that this plant is hematopoietic. Phytochemical, proximate and metal content analyses were carried out on the powdered leaves; forty-eight albino rats were divided into six groups of eight rats each. Group 1 (normal control) was administered distilled water only by oral gavage; groups 2 to 6 were induced with 80 mg/kg body weight, bwt, of phenylhydrazine, while group 2 was neither treated with the extract nor standard drug; groups 3 to 5 were administered 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg bwt of extract. Group 6 was administered 12.5 mg/kg bwt of Chemiron. Proximate analysis revealed high moisture and crude protein content, while phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phytate, flavonoids, saponins, oxalate, tannins, total phenols, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. Metal analysis revealed the presence of high levels of magnesium, iron and potassium. The ethanol extract of I. batatas compared favourably with chemiron in producing ameliorative effects on haematocrit, haemoglobin and red blood cell count at dose level of 750 mg/kg bwt. The increase in white blood cells and its differentials observed in the negative control rats were normalized on administration of the extract and Chemiron.