Evaluation of effects of Maṇḍurabhasma on structural and functional integrity of small intestine in comparison with ferrous sulfate using an experimental model of iron deficiency anemia

BACKGROUND: The present study was planned to assess effects of Maṇḍurabhasma (MB) on structural and functional integrity of small intestine using an animal model of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in rat. METHODS: IDA was induced by giving iron deficient diet and retro-orbital bloodletting for 21 days in Wistar female rats. Rats (n = 72) were divided into six groups: (i) Control group, (ii) IDA rats, (iii) IDA rats receiving vehicle, (iv) rats receiving ferrous sulfate (40 mg/kg), (vi) rats receiving a low dose (22.5 mg/kg) of MB, (vi) rats receiving a high dose (45 mg/kg) of MB. Treatment was conducted for a period of 21 days followed by an assessment of change in hemoglobin (Hb) levels, lactase levels, lipid peroxidation activity by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and jejunal morphometry. RESULTS: In the present study, the lactase activity was markedly reduced in iron-deficient rats. Our study has demonstrated that intestinal morphology and MDA levels were not altered in the animals with IDA as compared to normal animals. In phase II, improvement in Hb response to ferrous sulfate was accompanied by an improvement in lactase activity. However, it significantly increased MDA levels with derangement of the normal villous structure. Rats receiving a low dose of MB did not have increased MDA levels. It did not alter the jejunal villous structure and improved lactase activity, but hematinic activity was found to be less than that of ferrous sulfate. Rats receiving a high dose of MB showed significantly improved Hb as well as lactase levels. They exhibited damage to the villous structure and increased MDA levels, but the effects were significantly less as compared to ferrous sulfate group. CONCLUSION: Rats receiving a high dose of MB have shown improvement in hematinic and lactase levels comparable to those receiving ferrous sulfate. However, it causes lesser oxidative damage as compared to ferrous sulfate. This is an encouraging finding because it indicates the potential of MB to cause lesser gastrointestinal side effects compared to ferrous sulfate.