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Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Year: 2011 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 174-181
DOI: 10.3923/jpt.2011.174.181
Gongronema latifolium Crude Leaf Extract Reverses Alterations in Haematological Indices and Weight-loss in Diabetic Rats
E.E. Edet, M.I. Akpanabiatu, F.E. Uboh, T.E. Edet, A.E. Eno, E.H. Itam and I.B. Umoh

Abstract: The effect of Gongronema latifolium crude leaf extract (GL) on weight-loss, growth-depression and haematotoxicity was assessed in male diabetic rats. Normal and diabetic rats were gavaged with 200, 300 and 400 mg kg-1 b.wt. of GL day-1 for two weeks. The levels of haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit or Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC) and Platelet Count (PC) in Diabetic Rats (DR) were significantly higher, (p<0.05 for PCV%; p<0.001 for Hb, RBC, WBC and PC), compared, respectively to the levels obtained for the Non-Diabetic Rats (NDR). However, GL at dose levels of 200 and 400 mg kg-1 b.wt., respectively, caused significant decrease in the level of WBC in diabetic treated rats when compared to control. At 300 and 400 mg kg-1 b.wt., PCV% and WBC levels in NDR were significantly different (p<0.05 for both levels at 300 mg kg-1 b.wt.; p<0.05 and p<0.001 for PCV% and WBC at 400 mg kg-1 b.wt.) compared to their controls. The results also showed a significant decrease (p<0.001) in weight and growth-rate of diabetic test groups when compared to non-diabetic test groups following increased treatment with doses of GL. These observations indicated that diabetic condition produces alterations in haematological indices, weight-loss and growth-depression which may be reversed by treatment with GL at 400 mg kg-1 b.wt. in rat model. The significant (p<0.001) increase in WBC counts in alloxan-induced diabetic rats may likely be due to alloxan poisoning, which is in line with the normal physiological response following the perception of an insult to the body defense mechanisms. The results of this study suggest that GL may be used to reverse, prevent or reduce weight-loss, growth-depression and haematotoxicity in diabetic subjects.

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How to cite this article
E.E. Edet, M.I. Akpanabiatu, F.E. Uboh, T.E. Edet, A.E. Eno, E.H. Itam and I.B. Umoh, 2011. Gongronema latifolium Crude Leaf Extract Reverses Alterations in Haematological Indices and Weight-loss in Diabetic Rats. Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 6: 174-181.

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