Phytochemical and pharmacological investigations on aerial parts of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. for haematopoietic activity

The aim of the study was to investigate effect of ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Indian Lotus) on haematological parameters in anaemic rats. Haematopoietic activity of ethanolic extract of aerial part of plant was performed using cyclophosphamide (CP) at the dose of 0.3 mg/kg body weight i.p. and haloperidol (HP) at the dose of 0.2 mg/kg body weight induced aplastic and iron deficiency anaemia in rats, respectively. A morphological study of blood cells was performed along with phytochemical screening and iron estimation of extract by qualitative test and spectrophotometric method. The results of evaluation of the haematopoietic activity induced by cyclophosphamide and haloperidol showed that the plant extract diminish the activity of cyclophosphamide and haloperidol at the 200 mg/kg dose. Qualitative test of extract indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, steroids, carbohydrates, protein and iron. Iron content was estimated by using spectrophotometric method. The data from results supports the use of N. nucifera Gaertn. in traditional medicine for their haematopoietic activity.