Assessing the Role of Wheatgrass  Supplementation in Rectification of  Anemia: An in–vitro Approach

Pragnesh Banker; Dr. Rakesh Rawal

Volume : III, Issue : II, February - 2014

Assessing the Role of Wheatgrass Supplementation in Rectification of Anemia: An in–vitro Approach

Pragnesh Banker, Dr. Rakesh Rawal

Abstract :

Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells which provides oxygen to body tissue. Many therapeutic options are available to treat anemia including supplementation of vitamins (Folic acid/vit-B12), Iron and phytopharmaceuticals e.g. wheatgrass juice and capsules. rEPO infusion in patients with anemia due to chronic disease including cancer is a routine practice when nutritional deficiencies are not identified as causative factors. In present study we scientifically evaluated the role of wheatgrass juice supplementation in the rectification of anemia. To substantiate the fact we developed an in-vitro model using mononuclear cells (MNC) derived from umbilical cord blood (UCB) and bone marrow of anemic patients other than cancer. Wheatgrass juice was supplemented in healthy volunteers of both sexes for 2 weeks. The circulating levels of various interleukins (1, 3 & 6), TNF-α, GMCSF & EPO were estimated before and after supplementation. It was observed that IL-1, TNF- α showed decreasing trend while IL-3, IL-6 and GM-CSF showed increasing trend in supplemented sera as compared to unsupplemented sera. However EPO level remain unchanged or comparable between both the groups. The role of WGJ supplementation on CFU-e induction in HSC population was verified in-vitro. Cells were grown in-vitro on Methylcellulose media without EPO in presence of supplemented and un-supplemented sera. Development of higher CFU-e in supplemented sera generated evidence that secondary metabolites, interleukins and GM-CSF released as a result of wheatgrass juice metabolism directly or indirectly induce erythroid lineage in the progenitors independent of erythropoietin.