Comparative Study of the Effect of Aqueous Extract of Entandrophragma angolense and Vitamin B12 on Induced Hemolytic Anemia and Inflammation in the Wistar Rat

Entandrophragma angolense is a plant of the family Meliaceae of African pharmacopoeia. It is used in traditional medicine as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory in cases of abdominal or hips pain. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of oral administration of aqueous extract of E. angolense and vitamin B12 on hemolytic induced anemia and inflammation in the rat. Anemia was induced by intraperitoneal administration of phenylhydrazine at the dose of 40 mg / kg / day for two days in 24 Wistar rats, followed by aqueous extract of E. angolense and vitamin B12 chosen as reference molecule administered orally to rats once a day for 28 days. A biological assessment on blood count, CRP and the study of secondary metabolites of the aqueous extract of E. angolense have been realized. The results obtained showed the existence of anemia characterized by a significant decrease (p <0.01) of the hemoglobin level of 42.80% ± 3.09 and red blood cells of 44.21% ± 3.16 in rats, and inflammation revealed by the significantly elevated CRP assay (p <0.05). The aqueous extract of E. angolense at the dose of 200 mg / kg increased significantly (p <0.001) the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin at the 4th week of treatment compared to the vitamin B12.

In conclusion, the aqueous extract of the plant has an anti-inflammatory and anti-anemic effect. This double physiological action could come from the phytochemicals (flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids) contained in the extract.