EFFECT OF METHANOL EXTRACTS OF FICUS CAPENSIS (AKPURU) LEAF ON (ELECTROLYTE LEVEL, HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES AND ANTIOXIDANT LEVEL) OF CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE INDUCE ANEMIA IN RATS

ABSTRACT The phytochemical composition of methanol extracts of Ficus capensis showed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, terpenoid and tannins in moderate amount but phenol and cardiac glycoside were found in slight amount. Saponin and steroid were absent. In the quantitative analysis, alkaloid, flavonoid, phenol, cardiac glycoside, terpenoids and tannins contains 85.3%, 48.66%, 5.48%, 0.94%, 24.38% and 2.48% respectively. The toxicity evaluation of Ficus capensis extract underscores its overall safety, with no recorded fatalities even at the substantial 5000mg/kg dose, signifying a wide safety margin for potential human use. The level of electrolytes were also analyzed and there was a significant decrease in the Na+ of animals treated with Ficus capensis when compared to animals treated with blood tonic and animals with no treatment (anemic control) while animals treated with blood tonic have a significant increase against anemic control. There is a significant decrease in PCV, RBC, HB of anemic control rats when compared to rats treated with Ficus capensis and blood tonic. The results revealed a significant decrease in WBC of rats treated with Ficus capensis and blood tonic. This study shows that Ficus capensis leaves possess anti- anemic potential, lending credence to the use of these plant leaves in folk medicine for the management of hemolytic anemia is helpful. Further studies are warranted to determine the bioactive component present in Ficus capensis leaves that could be responsible for its anti-anemic effects.