The Effects of Medicago Sativa and Allium Porrum on Iron Overload in Rats

PURPOSE: Iron overload may occur due to regular blood transfusions and high intestinal iron absorption. Currently, there is no effective drug without side effects for the treatment of iron excess in thalassemia and other iron storage diseases, except chelation therapy, which is the only safe method for iron excretion. Thus, scientists are more focused on medicinal plants rich in phytochemical compounds for the removal of iron in thalassemia. Therefore this study was managed to discover the therapeutic potential of hydro- alcoholic extract of Allium porrum and Medicago sativa for iron chelating potential.

METHODS: Aerial parts of Allium porrum and Medicago sativa werecollected in Yasuj Iran. Rats were divided into seven groups each containing six. Extracts were administrated in four groups (two groups for each extract) by single doses of each plant with 200 and 400 mg / kg body weight by (i.p.) route every other day for28 days. Group 1 as negative control received saline (0.5 ml/kg) by (i.p.) route. Positive control received iron dextran 200 mg/kg body weight. Experimental groups 1 and 2 for each plant extract were fed with 200 and 400 mg/kg, hydro-alcoholic extract respectively via (i.p.) route, 1 h after the injection of iron dextran. Standard group was treated with deferoxamine (DF) 50 mg/kg by (i.p.) route1 h after the injection of iron dextran. Serum iron (SI) and serum total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were determined .The serum ferritin was then measured using enzyme immunoassay ELISA kit for rat. For Analysis of data ANOVA test was used.

RESULTS: Hydro-alcoholic extract of Medicago sativa and Allium porrum at 400 mg/kg showed significant (p<0.05) iron chelating activity compared to control. The plant extracts with dose 200 mg/kg also reduced the iron and ferritin content but the effect was lower level compared to higher doses. The plant extract effects were similar to that of standard drug deferoxamine. Iron and ferritin levels were significantly reduced in experimental groups when compared to positive group especially in Medicago sativap<0.05. There was no difference between standard drugs and last concentration of plant extracts.

CONCLUSION: protective effect of M. sativa andA. Porrum against iron overload in rat model was reported. Significant decrease in serum ferritin and iron concentration was reported in iron overload rats which induced by iron dextran.