Effect of some Herbs in Improvement of Anemia in Rats

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The potential health benefits of mint, ginseng, chamomile and thyme powder as functional food supplement to improve iron 1absorption as well as to prevent and treat anemia  associated with deficiency in iron intake were evaluated in rats. Five experimental groups were fed diet supplemented with 5% tested herbs and 1%iron gluconate for 4 wk compared with the positive control (free iron).At the end of the experiment, rat groups fed herbs supplemented diets were characterized by significant dose-related increases in the level of serum iron,  in addition, there were  variable increases in the measured levels of hemoglobin , hematocrit and ferritin in herbs fed groups compared with the control group. Liver functions wasassessedby estimation of plasma concentration of enzymes activities ofaspartateamino transferase (AST), alanineamino transferase (ALT) andlipid fraction (total cholesterol and triglyceride),cholesterol fraction (HDL-c, LDL-c, VLDL-c), Uricacid, Urea nitrogen and glucose. Results showedan improvement in case of tested herbs at the level of 5% for the above parameters. These data suggested that ginseng followed by chamomile andmint powder could provide with tested parameters and iron absorption and bioavailability of them when incorporated in daily diets and therefore, could be considered as a very effective food supplement to prevent and treat anemia .

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