ERYTHROPOIETIC ACTIVITY OF <i>VITIS VINIFERA</i> IN NEW ZEALAND WHITE RABBITS

Background: The knowledge of traditional herbal drugs provides the leads for safer and cheaper herbal medicines. A number of modern pharmaceuticals have been obtained from herbal medicines. Vitis vinifera, or grapes, have been used medicinally since many decades... Traditionally, several diseases have been treated, using different parts of Vitis vinifera.  In this study, we assessed the erythropoietic activity of Vitis vinifera in New Zealand White rabbits. Material and method:  Automated Huma count Plus, Hematology analyzer model # 6400/S, Human Germany was used to analyse the samples of blood. RBC count, hematocrit, hemoglobin (Hb), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were assessed. The juice was given orally by gavage at the two doses of 4 mL/kg and 8 mLkg. Result: The results of the analysis reveal that erythrocyte count was significantly increased in treated groups when compared with the saline-treated group. Similarly,  hemoglobin levels and hematocrit levels were also significantly increased in treated groups when compared with the saline-treated group. Conclusion: Vitis vinifera juice has shown a significant erythropoietic activity in New Zealand White rabbits. The increase in the level of hemoglobin and erythrocyte counts by Vitis vinifera juice might be related to the antioxidant properties of its constituents and its nutritive potential.