Ameliorative Potentials of Methanol Fractions of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on Some Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats

Background: There is a paucity of information in the literature on the effect of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on the hematological, coagulation activities, electrolyte balance and antioxidant activities of humans or animals.

Objectives: To determine the ameliorative potentials of methanol fractions of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on hematological, coagulation, electrolyte, hepatic and renal antioxidant activities of streptozotocininduced diabetic rats using standard techniques.

Method: Thirty rats, distributed into five groups of six rats each were used for this study. Groups 1 and 2 (normal and diabetic controls) received 1 ml/kg normal saline. Groups 3 and 4 received methanol fractions of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (at 250 and 500 mg/kg). Group 5 was administered glibenclamide (2.5 mg/kg).

Results: The diabetic control had decreased (P<0.05) white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, lymphocytes, eosinophils, thrombin time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate ions, hepatic and renal superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities; increased (P<0.05) neutrophils, fibrinogen and platelets counts, chloride ion levels compared with the normal control while their monocytes were not different (P>0.05) from that of the normal control. Basophils were not detected in all the groups that were studied. The methanol fraction at 500 mg/kg was more potent than the methanol fraction at 250 mg/kg or glibenclamide (at 2.5 mg/kg) in ameliorating the hematological parameters, serum electrolytes and oxidative stress in the hepatic and kidney tissues of the diabetic rats suggesting its potentials in the management of diabetic complications.

Conclusion: Finally, the biological properties demonstrated by the methanol fraction could be attributed to the presence of octadecanoic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, eicosanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid and n-hexadecanoic acid in it as previously reported.