Erythropoietic and Bone Marrow Stimulating Activity of Terminalia catappa Extract: Possible Role of Nitric Oxide Signaling

Aims: We assessed the capacity and mechanism of Terminalia catappa (TC) to induce
erythropoiesis in vivo in phenylhydrazine- induced anemic mice.
Place and Duration of Study: Sample: This study was carried out at Department of
Biochemistry and Center for Biotechnology Research and Training Ahmadu Bello
University Zaria, and National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria. The
duration spanned between Jan 2011 and Feb 2012.
Methodology: Solvent fractions of Terminalia catappa aqueous extract was used to treat
phynylhydrazine-induced anemic mice. Treatment was done for four days, erythropoietic
activity of each fraction was assayed by determining the effect of these fractions on
intracellular hemoglobin and reticulocyte level from the blood, arginase was also assayed. Bone marrow carbonic anhydrase was assayed to monitor bone marrow erythropoietic
stimulation.
Results: Terminalia catappa was able to up-regulate the synthesis of intracellular
hemoglobin (0.135 ±0.004 μmol/0.1ml) significantly comparable to hydroxyurea (HU)
(0.158±0.006 μmol/0.1ml), and normalize the peripheral blood reticulocyte index
significantly at P<.05 0.94±0.25% close to the non anemic mice 0.97±0.25% and bone
marrow carbonic anhydrase activity. TC inhibited arginase activity significantly (P<.05)
comparable to hydroxyurea.
Conclusion: The results demonstrate Terminalia catappa extract as an erythropoietic
agent that supports normal erythroid differentiation in vivo in phenylhydrazine- induced
anemic mice in a synergistic fashion.