The Effects of the N-hexane Fractions of Heinsia crinita Leaf Extract on Electrolyte Balance and Some Haematological Parameters of Alloxan-induced Diabetic Albino Wistar Rats
Bob I. A. Mgbeje *
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.
Esuabanga M. Asenye
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.
Iwara A. Iwara
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.
Godwin O. Igile
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: Crude extracts of Heinsia crinita leaves have been found to have antidiabetic activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the n-hexane fraction of Heinsia crinita leaf extract on electrolyte balance and some haematological indices of alloxan-induced diabetic albino Wistar rats.
Methodology: Thirty (30) albino Wistar rats of both sexes weighing 120-180g were shared into five (5) groups of six animals each. Group 1 and 2 served as the normal control (NC) and diabetic control (DC) respectively and received placebo. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were diabetic treated group, and received 500mg/kg bw Metformin, 400mg/kg bw of crude extract (HC-C) and n-hexane fraction (HC-H) of Heinsia crinita respectively.
Results: The HC-H administered group, like the HC-C group, showed reversal of the observed increase in chloride ion (Cl-) and decrease in sodium ion (Na+) levels in DC group to close to those of the NC group and this effect compared well with the metformin–treated group. The HC-H group, unlike the HC-C group, did not show a reversal of the observed diabetic increase in in potassium ion (K+). The WBC count was increased in DC compared to NC. On treatment with HC–C, HC-H and metformin, the WBC count decreased significantly (P<0.05) in all the treated groups compared to DC group. The RBC count was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in DC compared to NC. Similarly, there was a decrease in haemoglobin concentration in the DC group compared to the NC group. These decreases were significantly (p<0.05) reversed towards normal on treatment with HC-C and HC-H. The reversal was comparable to that of the standard drug metformin. Similarly the diabetes induced increase in platelet counts was significantly (P<0.05) reduced towards NC values on treatment with HC-H and HC-C.
Conclusion: The result show that the n-hexane fraction (HC-H), like the crude extract (HC-C), can protect against diabetes induced electrolyte imbalance and haematological disorders.
Keywords: Diabetes, electrolyte balance, haematological indices, n-hexane fraction, Heinsia crinita.