THE ETHANOL-INSOLUBLE FRACTION OF AN AQUEOUS CERVI-CORNU-VERNUM EXTRACT IMPROVES THE CONDITION OF RENAL ANEMIA IN RATS FED AN ADENINE DIET

Levels of red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Ht) were decreased significantly in rats fed an adenine diet. Their erythrocyte indices, such as mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpu scular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentratio n (MCHC), were similar to those of normal rats, but uraemic symptoms w ere present as well, providing evidence of renal anaemia. Administrati on of the EtOH-insoluble fraction of an aqueous extract of Cervi Cornu Vernum improved the renal anaemia, and the changes were reflected in the morphology of the erythrocytes. Furthermore, there was a significa nt increase in total protein and albumin. These findings suggest that the EtOH-insoluble fraction of Cervi Cornu Vernum improves the state o f undernutrition resulting from renal anaemia.