Black Raisins Improved Experimentally Induced Iron Deficiency Anemia. Biochemical and Histological Evidence

Iron deficiency anemia is a challenging clinical problem with a profound impact on general health. Administration of iron-containing preparations were reported to be associated with many side effects. The current study aimed to evaluate black raisins’ therapeutic role against experimentally induced iron deficiency anemia in rats. Forty female rats were divided into 4 groups (n=10); control, anemia, anemia + iron, and anemia + raisins. Anemia was induced by bleeding and an iron-deficient diet for 4 weeks. Anemic rats were treated with ferric sulfate (200 mg/kg) or raisin extract (375 mg/kg) daily for 12 weeks. Complete blood count (CBC), blood films, body weight, splenic weight, and index were assessed. The spleens were processed and stained by hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) and immunohistochemically stained for CD3+ and CD68. Raisins contain a considerable amount of iron, vitamin B, phenolics, and flavonoid antioxidants. In raisins treated rats, CBC parameters displayed a significant increase compared to the anemic rats. Most of the RBCs in blood films showed normal shape, size, and central pallor. The spleen of raisins and iron-treated rats showed a marked increase in the area of white pulp. Their spleens also showed a significant increase in the CD3+ PALS area compared to anemic rats. Iron and raisins significantly decreased splenic CD68 macrophages. Consumption of black raisins could be considered an excellent natural source for flavonoids and iron to be used as an adjuvant supplement to iron for anemic patients with increased splenic T lymphocytes.