Evaluation of iron chelating and antioxidant potential of Epilobium hirsutum for the management of iron overload disease

Abstract The present study deals with the investigation of iron chelating and antioxidant potential of Epilobium hirsutum in iron-overloaded rats. Iron overload was induced by 6 IP injections of Iron dextran (12.5 mg/100 g) administered uniformly over a period of 30 days. Different fractions of E. hirsutum were given orally and deferoxamine (DFO) subcutaneously for 30 days. The extent of iron chelation and various biochemical parameters were estimated on 15th and 30th day of treatment. In-vitro study was assessed by EDTA and DFO method; the results exhibited a dose-dependant iron chelation. The methanolic fraction of methanolic extract (MFME) and methanolic fraction of aqueous extract (MFAE) of E. hirsutum showed significant ( p E. hirsutum showed significant ( p E. hirsutum and gives some evidence for its possible mechanism via excretion of iron in urine and feces.