Vol.:(0123456789) 1 3 Advances in Traditional Medicine https://doi.org/10.1007/s13596-020-00499-7 RESEARCH ARTICLE Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) protects against phenyl hydrazine-induced anaemia and associated toxicities in rats Johnson O. Oladele 1  · Oyedotun M. Oyeleke 1  · Olaide O. Awosanya 1  · Boyede D. Olowookere 1  · Oluwaseun T. Oladele 2 Received: 2 June 2020 / Accepted: 30 August 2020 © Institute of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University 2020 Abstract Xenobiotics have been documented to play crucial role in pathogenesis of human diseases. Phenyl hydrazine administration has been associated with hematotoxicity by altering iron metabolism and activating immune response. Telfaria occidentalis is a medicinal plant rich in phytochemicals and minerals that are immune boosters. This study investigated the effect of ethanol leaf extract of T. occidentalis against phenyl hydrazine induced anaemia and associated toxicities in rats. Phenyl hydrazine was exposed to rats through oral administration and ethanol leaf extract of T. occidentalis or vitamin E was administered to ameliorate the toxic effect of the toxicant. This was followed by evaluation of haematological parameters, body weight, and serum protein biomarkers like bilirubin, albumin, total bilirubin. Phenyl hydrazine induced anaemia with significant reduction of blood components like haemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes with concomitant reduction in the body weight of the rat compared to the control. Phenyl hydrazine also compromised serum protein homeostasis as evidenced by elevated serum total protein, albumin, bilirubin and globulin levels. Nevertheless, treatment with ethanol leaf extract of T. occiden- talis modulates all the anomalies suggesting its ameliorating effects against phenyl hydrazine-induced anaemia, and may be useful in the treatment/management of chemically induced anaemia or other related diseases. Keywords Hematotoxicity · Anaemia · Phenyl hydrazine · Phytochemicals · Telfairia occidentalis Introduction Industrial and environmental chemicals have been docu- mented to play crucial role in the aetiology and pathogenesis of many human diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, anaemia, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, organ failure, pancytopenia, and soon (Farombi et al. 2019; Oladele et al. 2020a, b). Anaemia is a disease condition common in both developed and developing countries. It is a pathological condition characterised by a lower level of haemoglobin, the pigment which carries two molecules of oxygen, than normal (Bigoniya et al. 2013). Haemoglobin is contained in the erythrocytes and reduction in the amount of erythrocyte leads to deprivation of oxygen to sensitive organs resulting to anaemic condition (Libregts et al. 2011). WHO proposed that about half of the world population will have a record of anaemia therefore the need for urgent attention. Prevalence of this disease in the developing countries could be as a result of malnutrition, blood parasites infection, helminthia- sis. Much value has been placed on use of drugs in treating anaemia but due to high cost and its side effects, alternative option through the use of cheaper and more abundant effec- tive medicinal plants could show tremendous health benefits. Telfairia occidentalis (Fluted Pumpkin, family cucurbita- cea) is a tropical nutritious vegetable grown in West Africa especially in southern Nigeria among other areas (Badifu et al. 1995). It is a medicinal plant rich in minerals that are blood boosters such as iron, folic acid, copper, zinc, potas- sium, cobalt, sodium and calcium; vitamins such as nico- tinamide, thiamine, vitamins A, C and K, and other core amino acids: glycine, aspartate, leucine, isoleucine, alanine, arginine, serine, methionine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, * Johnson O. Oladele oladelejohn2007@gmail.com; jo.oladele@kingsuniversity.edu.ng 1 Biochemistry Unit, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kings University, Ode-Omu, Osun State, Nigeria 2 Phytomedicine and Toxicology Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria