Dose-dependent effects of Theobroma cacao in iron deficient anemia treatment in rats

The use of herb in the treatment of diseases, including nutrient-related diseases, remains the last resort in many villages. The lack of prescription for most of these herbs may negate the undoubtful efficacy of these herbs. Hence, this study seeks to propose an optimal dose of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Theobroma cacao (TC) in the treatment of anemia and comparing the effect of this extract with that of Mangifera indica L (MI). Forty-eight weanling albino rats of both sexes (Rattus norvegicus) with a mean weight of 48.00 g ± 3.00 g were used in the study. Eight of the animals were placed on iron sufficient diet while the rest of the animals were placed on the iron deficient diet. After the four weeks, the animals were placed on iron deficient were confirmed to be iron deficient via their haematologic indexes. The iron deficient rats were then divided into nine sub groups. Each of the group of the animals was assigned different conditions for two weeks. 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight of MI were administered to three of the groups. 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight of TC were administered to three of the groups. A standard iron supplement drug was administered to one of the groups, the feed on one of the groups was changed to iron sufficient diet, and the last group was maintained on the iron deficient diet. The haematologic index, the intestinal disaccharidases of the animals were assayed after the treatments. The weight gained by the animal was also recorded. The iron sufficient diet and the aqueous extract from the two plants significantly increased the haematologic indexes assayed, packed cell volume, hemoglobin and red blood cell, in the animal after two weeks of administration. While increasing the dose of MI increased all the haematologic indexes in the animal, otherwise was the case for the aqueous extract of TC. Although given all the doses, the extract of MI seems to be more effective than TC, if the effect of the lowest dose, 25 mg/kg body weight is considered, TC is more effective as an anti anaemic substance than MI. The extract and iron sufficient diet also increased the activities of the intestinal lactase and sucrase in the animals. While the iron and phytochemicals in the extract seem to be acting in synergy in the increasing of the haematologic indexes, the iron content alone seems to be responsible their action on the intestinal disaccharidases. Just as proposed for MI, 25 mg/kg body weight of TC seems to be the optimal dose for the treatment.