EFFICACY ASSESSMENT OF BEETROOT EXTRACT IN REGULATING IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN ANEMIC RATS

Abstract

Objective: Comparison of beetroot extract and iron supplement (Iberet Folic) effects on iron and haemoglobin levels among iron deficient anaemic rats. Methodology: In this study a natural source of iron, beetroot extract, and iron supplement (Iberet folic) was administrated to phenyl-hydrazine induced anaemic rats for 21 days. Beetroot was first dried, powdered, then extracted by ethanol. Results: The beetroot in current experimental study showed improvements in haemoglobin, red blood cells, and iron serum as mean values of 23.8±0.69 g/dL, 15.16 ±0.54 106 /μL, and 31.5 ±1.5 μg/dL, respectively. As compared to beetroot, minor changes could be seen in mean values of haemoglobin, red blood cells, and serum iron of iron supplemented anaemic rats as; 22.4 ±0.443 g/dL, 13.69 ±0.5 106 /μL, and 30.1 ±0.9 μg/dL, correspondingly. Conclusion: The Beetroot extract in this study presented as a viable replacement to the conventional local iron supplement.