The present work aims to elucidate the ameliorative role of fenugreek products (dried seeds, dried leaves and germinated seeds) in iron deficiency anemia induced by tannic acid in male albino rats. Thirty animals were divided into two main groups; group I served as negative control (6 normal rats fed on basal diet) and group II, 24 rats fed the same diet with addition of 20 g tannic acid/kg diet for three weeks). The group II was subdivided into four subgroups, each contained 6 animals; subgroup 1: served as positive control (feeding on the diet with tannic acid without treatment), subgroup 2: rats treated with 5% dried fenugreek seeds for two weeks, subgroup 3: rats treated with 5% dried fenugreek leaves for two weeks and subgroup 4: rats treated with 5% germinated fenugreek seeds for two weeks. Investigations by the biochemical analysis and histological examinations for anemic and treated rats by using fenugreek products were the major target of this study. The biological trials found that tannic acid induced significant decrease in the relative weight of liver while the heart weight was increased. Moreover, hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and hematocrit value (Hct %) were decreased. The liver enzymes and lipid profiles were affected by tannic acid. Histologically, the animals of the tannic acid group showed histological changes in the liver, kidney and heart. After supplemented diet with fenugreek products, the improvement of organs relative weights, liver enzymes, lipid profiles and histological changes were detected. The germinated fenugreek seeds have the highest ameliorative effect followed by fenugreek leaves, while the fenugreek seeds were least effect due to its high content of phytic acid.
Key words: Tannic acid, anemia, Fenugreek-Biochemical analysis, Histology
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