Effect of Antioxidant Fractions of Convolvulus arvensis and Fumaria officinalis on Hematological Parameters of Rabbit

Abstract

Plant extracts are used extensively to treat many diseases. Many herbs extracts possess antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacteria, yeast, molds and viruses due to phytochemical constituents. In this study extracts of Fumaria officinalis and Convolvulus arvensis were used. The main objectives of this study were to examine the in-vitro antioxidant and in-vivo hematological parameters of Convolvulus arvensis and Fumaria officinalis, to evaluate the effects of antioxidant fractions of two herbs on hematological parameters of rabbits, to evaluate the medicinal use and value of selected herbs. Various fractions were used to determine the antioxidant activities using Hydrogen peroxide, Phosphomolybdenum and DPPH assays. In H2O2 assay, methanolic extract of F. officinalis and C. avensis showed a pretty good percentage of antioxidant activity 82% to 90% at the highest concentration i.e, 1 mg/ml. Both C. arvensis and F. officinalis showed 88% of antioxidant effect through DPPH radical scavenging assay. Doses of F. officinalis and C. arvensis extract were administrated orally to two groups of rabbits along with a control group. Parameters evaluated included Hemoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cells (RBC) and Hematocrit (PCV/Hct). The results of the hematological parameters showed that although both the herb extracts have pretty good antioxidant activity but has lowered values of hematological parameters in rabbits when compared to the control group.