Effects of Ethanol Leaf Extracts of Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum gratissimum on Hematological Indices of Alloxan Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats Exposed to Carbon Tetrachloride

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus remains a global health concern with a rising prevalence. Additionally, environmental toxins such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) pose a significant threat to human health. This study investigated the effect of ethanol leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium (GL) and Ocimum gratissimum (OG) on hematological indices of alloxan diabetic Wistar rats exposed to CCl4. A total of 45 Wistar rats were used in this study and randomly distributed into 9 groups of 5 rats each. Groups 1, 2 and 3 where normal control, diabetic control and diabetic control exposed to 1.0mg/kg/bw of CCl4 intraperitonially on 14th day. Groups 4, 5 and 6 were diabetic treated with single GL (200 mg/kg/bw), OG (200 ml/kg/bw) and combined extracts (100 ml/kg/bw) each. Groups 7, 8 and 9 were diabetic treated with single leaf GL (200 ml/kg) and exposed to 1.0ml/kg/bw of CCl4 on the 14th day, OG (200 mg/kg/bw) and exposed to 1.0ml/kg/bw of CCl4 on the 14th day and combined extracts (100 mg/kg/bw) each and exposed to 1.0ml/kg/bw of CCl4 on the 14th day.  Hematological parameters such as red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (Hct), white blood cell (WBC) count, and platelet count were assessed. The results showed that alloxan-induced diabetes led to significant alterations in hematological parameters, including decreased RBC count, Hb concentration, Hct, and increased WBC count. Furthermore, CCl4 exposure exacerbated these effects. However, treatment with G. latifolium and O. gratissimum extracts, either individually or in combination, demonstrated a significant amelioration of these hematological disturbances. The combined treatment showed the most promising results, restoring the hematological parameters to levels close to those of the normal control group. G. latifolium and O. gratissimum extracts exhibit potential therapeutic effects on hematological indices in alloxan-induced diabetic rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride. These findings suggest that these plant extracts may offer protection against hematological complications associated with diabetes and toxic environmental exposures.