Hematopoietic and hepatoprotective activity of Basella alba L. fruit extract in experimental animal model

Basella alba L. fruit extract (BAFE) has been used in rural eastern India by the traditional practitioners to treat anemia during pregnancy. In the present study, we have demostrated the hematopoietic and hepatoprotective activity of BAFE in animal model. Male Swiss albino rats were divided into: Gr. I, sham control; Gr. II, disease control (anemia or hepatotoxicity); Gr. III, standard drug treated; Gr. IV, BAFE treated (low dose); and Gr.V, BAFE treated (high dose). Anemia was induced in animals through blood loss at regular intervals and hematological, cytokine, antioxidant parameters and RBC morphology were done. Hepatotoxicity was induced in animals by CCl4 (1 mL/kg/p.o.) and serum biochemistry, cytokine, antioxidant parameters and histology were done. There was a significant improvement of hematology (Hb, TC of RBC, TC of WBC, hematocrit, serum iron, TIBC), cytokine (IL 113), antioxidant (SOD, catalase, LPO, GSH) and RBC morphology in BAFE treated animals when compared to Gr. II animals. Significant improvement in biochemical (AST, ALT, gamma GT, ACP, ALP and total bilirubin), cytokine (IL 113, IL 4, IL 12, IL 17, cathepsin K and TNF alpha), antioxidant (SOD, catalase, LPO and GSH) and liver histology were observed in BAFE treated animals when compared to Gr. II animals. The present study confirmed the hematopoietic and hepatoprotective activity of BAFE in animal model and warrants further studies.