Preclinical evaluation of haematinic activity of oral indiffusible mixture of Tamarindus indica L. leaf extract

INTRODUCTION: Tamarindus indica L. (T. indica) is known to be a multipurpose traditional plant in India. It is used against some bacterial infections, parasitic infestations, constipation and inflammation. It is also used as a blood tonic and used for wound healing. This study was designed to substantiate the traditional claim of haematinic activity of T. indica.
METHODS: T. indica leaf extract was formulated into an oral indiffusible mixture (TIM) and evaluated for its haematinic activity in phenylhydrazine (Single dose of 10mg/kg per oral for 8 days) induced anaemia. Wistar rats were grouped into six (n=6). Groups I and II served as normal control and disease control respectively. Group III received standard drug (Haematinic suspension 2ml/kg). Groups IV, V, VI received formulated oral indiffusible mixture of T. indica at the dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/ kg respectively.
RESULTS: TIM was formulated and pharmaceutically optimized. TIM produced significant increase in RBC, Hb and PCV while decrease in MCV.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results conclude that the oral indiffusible mixture of T. indica leaf extract taken for investigation was found to reverse phenylhydrazine induced anaemia.However, short duration of present study is proposed to be a limitation, thereby longer duration is required for obtaining better responses.