Comparative evaluation of anti-anemic effect of Sucrosomial iron in experimental model of iron deficiency anemia in Wistar rats

Abstract Anemia is a grave public health issue that affects 25% of the global population. Conventional iron formulations used in treatment have drawbacks such as poor bioavailability and gastric intolerability. The current study aimed to evaluate the anti-anemic effects of different iron salts in Wistar rats with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). IDA was induced by the validated pre-clinical model by retro-orbital bloodletting (1 ml) for 21 days along with an iron-deficient diet in Wistar rats. The rats (n=48) were assigned into 8 groups: Control group, IDA rats, IDA rats receiving either vehicle or different iron salts (ferrous sulfate, ferrous ascorbate, ferrous fumarate, and Sucrosomial iron) for 21 days at a dose of 30 mg/kg p.o. Hematological parameters and iron store indices were assessed at each visit. Anemia induction markedly reduced hemoglobin levels in all IDA groups on day 21. In contrast, iron supplements showed significant improvement in hematological profile after 21 days of treatment. Interestingly, the Sucrosomial iron-supplemented group (group 8) showed significantly higher improvement in hemoglobin levels and hematocrit than did conventional iron supplements such as ferrous sulfate (group 5), ferrous ascorbate (group 6) and ferrous fumarate (group 7) (p <0.05 for each group, respectively). Sucrosomial iron also showed slightly better improvement in iron store indices (serum iron & ferritin levels, total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation [%]) when compared with other iron supplements (non-significant difference). Authors concluded that Sucrosomial iron has a significant potential to improve IDA in Wistar rats compared to conventional iron salts. Sucrosomial iron can be useful for the management of IDA either prophylactically or therapeutically.