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Background: Anemia can be regarded as one of the oldest blood malformation known over a century. Megaloblastic anemia arises due to curtailed formation of erythrocytes, which leads to formation of a large number of underdeveloped erythrocytes. Proper nutritional supplementation may be useful in such condition. Beta vulgaris or beetroot is one of the important vegetables consumed worldwide. The aim of the present work was to evaluate anti-anemic potential of beetroot. Methods: Beetroot was extracted with ethanol. Phytochemical and phytoanalytical studies were performed on extract. Anemia was induced by phenyl-hydrazine. Animals were treated with extract throughout the study for 24 days. The red blood cell (RBC) number and hemoglobin concentration were determined every 3 days for 24 days. Results: Extract was found to be rich in folic acid, ascorbic acid, and iron. Following the induction of anemia, the number of erythrocytes and the hemoglobin concentration decreased by 62.51% and 69.64%, respectively. Administration of standard hematinic preparation and extract (200 mg/kg) resulted in signifi cant increase (P < 0.001; P < 0.01) in the number of RBCs as well as hemoglobin concentration when compared to the untreated phenyl hydrazine-induced anemic rats. Conclusion: Extract effectively raised the level of hemoglobin and erythrocyte count at dose 200 mg/kg. Vitamin and minerals found in beetroot are most likely active ingredients responsible for its hematinic effects. Still, methodical studies are obligatory to derive its effects on humans.
Jaiswal et al. (Thu,) studied this question.