Effect of Navayasa Lauha, an ayurvedic herbomineral formulation on experimentally-induced iron deficiency anemia

Background: Navayasa lauha (NL) is a herbometallic preparation (Rasaushadhi) widely used in Ayurveda as a hematinic agent. Nutritional deficiency is a main cause of anemia worldwide. Materials and Methods: NL was trialed on nutritional iron deficiency anemia induced by rice milk diet given for 2 months in albino rats. Iron-deficient rats were then treated with NL for 45 days, and assessment was done on the basis of peripheral blood picture, blood parameters, viz., hemoglobin%, Packed cell volume (PCV), Total red blood cell (TRBC) count, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), MCH concentration serum iron, and “decrease in total iron binding capacity (TIBC).” Results: A highly significant improvement (P < 0.001) in PCV, MCV, MCH, and TRBC and significant increase in Hb% (P < 0.05) and serum iron (P < 0.01), and significant decrease in TIBC (P < 0.01) were also observed. Conclusion: Results of the present study demonstrate that NL could be a promising and safe herbomineral medicine in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia without any gastrointestinal upset, which are generally encountered with modern iron supplements. Significant increase in serum iron and significant decrease in TIBC are indicative of direct effect of trial drug on body iron store in the treatment of anemia.