Hematological Indices of Diabetic Rats Treated with Crude Extract and Fractions of <I>Lasianthera Africana</I> Leaf

Abstract

Background: Diabetes adversely affects hematological indices. Lasianthera africana (LA) leaf is used in folklore to treat diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be induced with high fat diet and low dose streptozotocin. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of crude extract and fractions of LA leaf on hematological parameters of male Wistar rats, with induced Type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods: Crude extract was prepared by macerating the leaf powder in a 50ml methanol and 50ml dichloromethane mixture and concentrating the filtrate in a water bath. Fractions were produced by column chromatography using 50% and 100% methanol. Twenty-five diabetic rats were induced and assigned to groups 2-6. Group 2, diabetic controls (DC) received DMSO; groups 3-6 glibenclamide, crude extract, 50% and 100% leaf fractions, respectively. Group 1 was normal control (NC). Treatment was orally for 28 days and blood collected the following morning for determination of hematological indices using an automated heamanalyzer.

Results: RBC indices (Count, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC) were reduced in diabetic controls (DC) compared to normal controls (NC) but increased in treated diabetic rats compared to DC. Total WBC and Neutrophils were raised while Lymphocytes were reduced in DC compared to NC. Other white cells were insignificantly different in DC compared to NC, and even after treatment with the plant leaf compared to DC. The platelet indices were increased in DC compared with NC but reduced following treatment with the plant leaf and glibenclamide compared to DC.

Conclusions: Crude extract and fractions of LA leaf can reverse hematological anomalies in type 2 diabetic male Wistar rats and may thus be useful in preventing diabetesinduced hematotoxicity.

Keywords: Hematological Indices, Lasianthera Africana, Diabetes Mellitus, Crude Extract, Fractions