Combating Iron Deficiency Anaemia: Insights From Solvent-Extracted Fractions of Theobroma cacao

Abstract

Herbs have been used from time immemorial to treat and manage different diseases, including nutrient-related disorders. This study seeks to compare the anti-anaemic effects of different solvent fractions of the stem bark of Theobroma cacao in treating Iron-deficiency anaemia. The effect of administration of ethanol, ethyl acetate and N-hexane extract fractions of Theobroma cacao stem bark on some haematological parameters, serum ferritin of iron-deficient rats was investigated. Forty (40) albino rats with an average weight of 60.0 g were used. Ten (10) of the rats were placed on iron-sufficient feed, twenty-five (25) were fed iron iron-deficient diet, while the remaining five (5) were given commercial (standard) feed. The body Weight, packed cell volume (PCV), and Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) of the iron-deficient rats reduced significantly after eight (8) weeks of feeding, which confirms the presence of iron-deficient anaemia. The iron-deficient groups showed increased hematologic parameters when administered with ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane fractions of Theobroma cacao extracts, respectively, for two (2) weeks. Their hematologic parameters also compared closely with those Iron Sufficient and Commercial Feed Groups. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed Saponins and Glycosides across board, ethanolic and ethyl acetate fractions contain tannins and phlobatannins, while ethanol and hexane fractions exclusively contain Terpenoids and Flavonoids, respectively. The results revealed that the administration of ethanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts of Theobroma cacao reversed iron-deficiency anaemia and improved the weight of the animals.