ABSTRACT

Beetroot, pineapple and papaya are the most popular fruits and legumes with several therapeutical effects. This study aimed to assess the anti-anemic potential of beetroot (Beta Vulgaris), pineapple (Ananas comosus) and papaya (Carica papaya) juice in phenylhydrazine treated male Wistar rats. Twenty-five male rats were used. Anemic model was induced in 20 rats by daily injection with phenylhydrazine (40mg/Kg b.w) for two successive days. After one day, the rats were randomly divided into five subgroups as follows: Group A (negative healthy control), group B (positive control), group C (reference), group D and E receiving the beetroot, pineapple and papaya juice at 1mL and 2mL/Kg concentrations respectively. At the end of day 22 of experiment, the animals of all groups were sacrificed and blood samples were taken to determine the blood glucose, haemoglobin and complete blood count, immunological and iron status parameters. The results showed that the beetroot, pineapple and papaya juice significantly (P<0.05) affected the increase of the haemoglobin, complete blood count (except white blood cells and men corpuscle volume), immunological parameters (except platelet) and iron status biomarkers as compared to the reference group. Furthermore, several doses of beetroot, pineapple and papaya juice slightly (p?0.05) increased the levels of blood glucose as compared to untreated group rats. The concentration that gives the best effect in increasing the haemoglobin level, haematological and immunological parameters and iron status biomarker is 2mL/Kg of natural fruit juice. The findings suggest that this fruit juice can be a medical alternative in the prevention and management of anemia in children and women. 

Keywords: Haemoglobin, fruits, iron, hematological, beetroot, anti-anemia.