title: Hematinic effect of fruits of Opuntia elatior Mill. on phenylhydrazine-induced anemia in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The fruits of Opuntia elatior Mill. are known as prickly pear and folkloric use as hematinic, anti-inflammatory and antiasthmatic action. Previously, the fruit juice of prickly pear was evaluated in reversed anemia induced by HgCl2 in a dose dependant manner and present study revealed about its effect in acute hemolytic anemia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the hematinic activity of fruits of Opuntia elatior Mill.
  
  
  METHODS
  The hematinic activity of an orally administered fruit juice was studied on phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced anemic rats. The hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb) content, red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), and reticulocyte count were analyzed as indices of anemia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PHZ altered the hematological parameters by hemolysis characterized by a decrease in Hb content, total RBC counts and PCV (P < 0.001) on day 3. The Hb content (g%) was significantly increased (P < 0.05) at day 7 in 10 and 15 ml/kg fruit juice treated rats, which was a good improvement compared to the standard.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The speedy and progressive recovery of anemic rats responding to treatment of the O. elatior Mill. fruits may be due to increased erythropoiesis and/or antioxidant property of betacyanin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Sanjay P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Chauhan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Saurashtra University, Rajkot, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Navin R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Sheth
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Bhanubhai N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Suhagia
keywords: Hematinic; Opuntia; Prickly pear; phenylhydrazine