EFFECT OF A POLYHERBAL AQUEOUS EXTRACT ON HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATS

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of a polyherbal formulation on haematological parameters in alloxan-induced Wistar rats. Forty Wistar rats were randomly assigned into eight groups (5 rats each) designated: normal control; test control (diabetes induced, untreated); T-100mg, T-200mg, and T-300mg (diabetes induced and treated with 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg of the polyherbal extract respectively); TC-100mg, TC-200mg, and TC-300mg (treatment control groups non-induced, but administered 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg of the polyherbal extract respectively). Diabetes was induced through a single intraperitoneal injection of a freshly prepared alloxan solution. The polyherbal aqueous extract was prepared from a combination of five selected herbs and orally administered for two weeks. Rats were anaesthetised, their blood was collected in EDTA sample bottles, and haematological indices were analysed. Differences in values were considered significant at p<0.05. The polyherbal extract improved white blood cell, lymphocyte, and platelet counts, haematocrit, plateletcrit, and haemoglobin concentrations in diabetic rats, especially with T-100mg and T-300mg. Elevated red blood cell counts were observed in all treated groups. The highest granulocyte and mid-sized cells count, and red cell distribution width were recorded in T-300mg. Hence, the polyherbal aqueous extract can help correct haematological abnormalities associated with diabetes.