The hematopoietic potential of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Portulaca oleracea in a phenylhydrazine model of anemia

Abstract

Objective: Portulaca oleracea, commonly known as Purslane, is traditionally used as a sour, diuretic, and cooling herb with hemostatic properties. The present study evaluates the antianemic effect of methanolic and aqueous extracts of P. oleracea in a phenylhydrazine model of anemia.

Materials and methods: Phenylhydrazine (60 mg/kg/day, i.p., two consecutive days) was used to induce anemia in rats. The aqueous and methanolic extracts of P. oleracea were prepared, and three methods of treatment were defined with two doses (500 and 750 mg/kg, i.p.). The hematological parameters and blood cell morphology, total and direct bilirubin, and morphology, and pathology of bone marrow were evaluated.

Results: The results showed that the methanolic extract has better effects than aqueous extract in improving phenylhydrazine-induced anemia. Our results showed that administration of 500 and 750 mg/kg of P. oleracea methanolic extracts for 4 days could protect against the development of anemia caused by phenylhydrazine.

Conclusion: In summary, the methanolic extracts of P. oleracea might be effective in phenylhydrazine-induced anemia.

Keywords: Anemia; Aqueous extract; Methanolic extract; Phenylhydrazine; Purslane.

Figure 1

The summary of different groups and diverse compounds in the first, second, third, and fourth days of treatment. The Blue arrow shows normal saline. The red arrow shows phenylhydrazine. The green arrow shows the aqueous or methanolic extract of P. oleracea

Figure 2

Representative pictures of blood cell morphology from different treatment groups stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) examined under a microscope (magnification: ×100). The changes in red blood cells such as hypochromia, anisocytosis and poikilocytosis in the blood morphology of rats were examined. The results were reported qualitatively at three levels for PHZ group (level 3), groups receiving aqueous and methanolic extracts with PHZ (level 2) and normal saline and extracts control groups (level 1). PHZ=Phenylhydrazine; ME=Methanolic Extract; AE=Aqueous Extract

Figure 3

The histopathological changes of bone marrow morphology in different groups stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) examined under a microscope (magnification: ×40). Aqueous and methanolic extracts of P. oleracea were given to animals two days before anemia. In both groups, the volume of hypercellularity reduced compared to the PHZ group and had a protective effect. The results are expressed qualitatively at four levels. At level four, the bone marrow is highly activated and cellularity is between 90-95 % and tissue lipids level is between 5-10 %. At level three, cellularity level is between 90-75%, at the second level 75-60% and at the level one and normal below 60%. Level 4 for PHZ group, level 1 for normal saline as well as methanolic and aqueous extracts groups, level 3 for extract groups with PHZ are reported. PHZ=Phenylhydrazine; ME=Methanolic Extract; AE=Aqueous Extract