Haematology and serum biochemistry of alloxan-induced diabetic rats administered with extracts of Phragmanthera incana (Schum.) Balle

This study evaluated the toxic changes that may accompany treatment of diabetes with Phragmanthera incana, a mistletoe species growing on two plant hosts [Cola nitida (Kolanut; PICN) and Theobroma cacao (Cocoa; PITC)]. The toxic potential of this treatment regimen was evaluated using the effect of the extracts PICN and PITC on the haematology and serum chemistry of the diabetic rats. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were treated with the extracts at doses of 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg or glibenclamide for 14 days. Blood samples were collected on day 15 for haematology and serum biochemistry. Haematological parameters analyzed were packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cells, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cell count, platelet count, lymphocytes, neutrophil, monocytes and eosinophil. Serum biochemical parameters analyzed were total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin-globulin ratio, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alanine phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, bilirubin and glucose. The results showed that P. incana extracts, regardless of the host plant decreased blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Although it depressed packed cell volume (PCV), it also alleviated other complications of diabetes such as liver and kidney injury, and may possess hepatoprotective effect.   Key words: Phragmanthera incana, Cola nitida, Theobroma cacao, diabetes, haematology, serum biochemistry.