Gc-Fid Phytochemical Screening of Justicia Carnea Ethanolic Leaf Extract and Its Antioxidant-Mediated Haematoprotective Activity in a Phenylhydrazine-Induced Anaemic Rat Model

Justicia carnea is an ethnomedicinal plant widely used for anemia management in West Africa. Despite its empirical application, a comprehensive characterisation of its bioactive phytochemical profile and the mechanistic basis of its antioxidant, haematoprotective activity remains limited. This study reports the GC-FID phytochemical fingerprint of the ethanolic leaf extract of J. carnea (ELJC) and evaluates its ability to attenuate oxidative haematotoxicity induced by phenylhydrazine (PHZ) in Wistar rats. ELJC was prepared by maceration of authenticated leaf material in 95% ethanol. Qualitative phytochemical screening was conducted using standard colorimetric methods. Quantitative phytochemical profiling was performed by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionisation Detection (GC-FID). The haematoprotective activity of ELJC (250 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks) was evaluated in PHZ-induced anemic female Wistar rats (n = 6 per group). Haematological indices — including RBC, haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, and platelet count — were measured using an automated Sysmex XT-2000i analyser. Acute toxicity was assessed by Lorke's method. GC-FID analysis identified 21 bioactive compounds. Myricetin (9.85 ppm), limonene (9.65 ppm), vinyllic acid (9.27 ppm), and robinetin (8.82 ppm) were the most abundant. Gallocatechin-3-gallate (5.65 ppm) and naringenin (4.41 ppm) were present at moderate concentrations. Qualitative screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, and cardiac glycosides. ELJC treatment significantly restored RBC count, Hb concentration, and PCV in PHZ-anaemic rats compared to the untreated anaemia group (p ≤ 0.05). MCV was marginally reduced, while WBC changes were non-significant. The LD50 exceeded 5000 mg/kg, confirming a favourable safety profile. The diverse antioxidant phytochemical profile of J. carnea — principally myricetin, limonene, and robinetin — underlies its haematoprotective activity through ROS scavenging and erythrocyte membrane stabilization. These findings provide scientific evidence supporting the ethnomedicinal use of J. carnea in anemia management