Acute phase response in anemic patients who received raw liquid extract of the leaves of Solanecio biafrae (wòròwó) to increase their hematocrit

Abstract

Study Background: Solanecio biafrae (wòròwó) leaves contain health benefit phytochemicals and phytonutrients which are being used traditionally to treat ailments. Aim and Objective: This work was therefore designed to determine acute phase response in anemic patients who received raw liquid extract of the leaves of to increase their hematocrit. Materials and Methods: Forty-three (43) individuals with low packed cell volume (PCV) (PCV 27 ± 2.0; Female–22; Male-21; age–18–61 years) and 50 age-matched volunteers with normal PCV (PCV 41 ± 2.0; Female-25; Male-25) who were negative in reaction to Giemsa thick-blood film staining for Plasmodium spp., Stool microscopy for hookworm, Ziehl–Neelsen staining for acid fast bacilli, human immunodeficiency virus, anti-HCV and HBsAg ELISA were recruited from herbal homes in Nigeria. Plasma Haptoglobin, C–reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen were assayed biochemically while PCV was determine by microhematocrit capillary tube method. Results: There was a significant increase in plasma fibrinogen in Volunteers with low PCV after treatment and in control volunteers with normal PCV compared to the value of the parameter obtained before treatment (P < 0.05). There was a significant increase in hematocrit in Volunteers with low PCV after treatment and in control volunteers with normal PCV compared to the value of the parameter obtained before treatment (P < 0.05). There was a significant increase in plasma CRP in volunteers with low PCV before treatment compared with the results obtained in the control volunteers with normal PCV (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There was a significant increase in plasma fibrinogen and hematocrit following the administration of the raw liquid extract while there was a significant increase in CRP in volunteers with low PCV before the administration of the liquid extract of S. biafrae (wòròwó) which signify an increase in acute phase reaction or reactants due to the administration of raw liquid extract and when the hematocrit was low.