Exploring the therapeutic potential of apple extracts against thrombocytopenia in rat experimental models
ISSN: 0034-6659
Article publication date: 23 April 2018
Issue publication date: 14 May 2018
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of apple extracts against thrombocytopenia, i.e. decrease in platelet count.
Design/methodology/approach
Male Sprague Dawley rats were used to evaluate therapeutic potential of apple extracts. Diets enriched with apple fruit and seed’s ethanolic extract were provided to normal and KBrO3-induced thrombocytopenic rats for 60 days. KBrO3 was administered at level of 85 mg/Kg of body weight of rats to intentionally decrease the platelet count. Platelet count and other hematological parameters were monitored at monthly intervals to evaluate therapeutic effect of apple extracts against thrombocytopenia.
Findings
The results of current research portrayed that both apple seed and fruit extracts enriched diets increased the platelet count significantly (p < 0.05) in thrombocytopenic rats. It was observed that apple fruit extract-enriched diet (AFE) raised the platelet count to 14.72 and 33.07 per cent in normal and thrombocytopenic rats, respectively. Apple seed extract-enriched diet (ASE) raised the platelet count to 11.08 and 32.90 per cent in normal and thrombocytopenic rats, respectively. Other hematological parameters including white blood cells, red blood cells and hemoglobin were also significantly increased.
Originality/value
Thrombocytopenia is uprising problem in developing world including India and Pakistan accompanied by different diseases especially dengue and related complications. Because of questioning on therapies against thrombocytopenia, research on diet-based therapies, as a substitute to synthetic one, is increasing. Diet rich in antioxidant compounds including apple fruit and seeds are the limelight of manuscript.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful to Food Analysis Lab and Efficacy Study Room, Institute of Home and Food Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan. This research was partially supported by Higher Education Commission, Pakistan under National Research Program for Universities (NRPU) (Grant No. 5699) with project entitled “Venturing the synergistic effect of papaya, apple and lemon extracts: exposure of dengue with food weapon”.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interests.
Author contributions: Farhan Saeed and Muhammad Umair Arshad supervised this work; Munawar Abbas conducted all the experimental work including the extract preparation and bio-evaluation studies. Huma Bader-Ul-Ain and Zohaib Hassan coordinated in bio-evaluation studies. Muhammad Tahir Nadeem managed the data and applied the statistical design. Hafiz Ansar Rasul Suleria edited and peer-reviewed the whole manuscript and provided suggestions to main authors about overall research plan. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Citation
Abbas, M., Saeed, F., Arshad, M.U., Nadeem, M.T., Bader-Ul-Ain, H., Hassan, Z. and Suleria, H.A.R. (2018), "Exploring the therapeutic potential of apple extracts against thrombocytopenia in rat experimental models", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 48 No. 3, pp. 397-405. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-09-2017-0201
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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