Haematological and biochemical parameters assessment of alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with ethanol leaf extract of <i>adansonia digitate</i> (baobab) leaf

Abstract

The progression of diabetic complications is marked by abnormal values of some haematological and biochemical parameters and the toxic effects of some drugs use for the management of diabetes has also contributed in the derangements of these parameters. Plant-based natural medicines are popularly acclaimed to be safe, cheaper than allopathic drugs, available and affordable. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of ethanol leaf extract of Adansonia digitata in diabetic-induced experimental rats. Forty five male rats were allotted into five groups: (1) normal control, (2)diabetic rats untreated, (3) diabetic rats administered 2.5 mg Kg–1b.wt ofglibenclamid (4) and (5) received 200 and 400 mg Kg–1b.wt leaf extract of A. digitata respectively. After treatments, biochemical and heamatological parameters weredetermined. Significant reduction (p<0.05) of blood glucose and increased body weight among text groups were recorded as against Group 2. MDA decreased significantly(p<0.05) in Group 5 and not significant (p>0.05) in experimental group administered 200 mgkg-1b.wt of the extract compared with Groups 1 and 2. Total protein level increased in the test groups and decreased in Group 2 against Group 3. Heamatological parameters (PVC, RBC and WBC) significantly (p<0.05) increased in groups 4 and 5 in comparison with positive control (Group 2). Similar results were obtained whencompared with normal control group. The result suggests that the leaf extracts of A. digitata are safe and capable of ameliorating haematological and some biochemicalabnormalities associated with diabetes mellitus, thus, could be recommended as adjunct to dietary therapy.