Haemato-Protective Effects of Kigelia africana Fruit and Leaf Aqueous Extracts in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Abstract

Haematological complications in diabetes mellitus, including erythrocyte depletion, thrombocytosis, and leukocytosis, contribute substantially to morbidity and end-organ damage. Identifying plant-based agents capable of reversing these disturbances could expand affordable therapeutic options, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study evaluated the haemato-protective effects of aqueous Kigelia africana fruit and leaf extracts on haematological parameters in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups (n = 5): normal control (Group A), diabetic control (Group B), diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide 1000 mg/kg (Group C), fruit extract 1000 mg/kg (Group D), leaf extract 1000 mg/kg (Group E), and combined extracts 1000 mg/kg (Group F). The sample size was selected based on prior studies of similar design in experimental diabetic models, which have established n = 5 per group as a standard in preliminary haematological investigations. Diabetes was induced with STZ (55 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and confirmed 72 hours later. Following 28 days of oral treatment, whole blood was analysed for Red Blood Cells (RBC), Haemoglobin (Hb), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), platelet count (PLT), White Blood Cells (WBC), Lymphocytes, Neutrophils, and Mixed Cells (MXD) using an automated haematological analyser. Fasting blood glucose concentrations were recorded at baseline and at the end of the treatment period to confirm induction and to contextualise haematological findings. STZ-induced diabetic controls showed significantly elevated fasting blood glucose, confirming successful induction of experimental diabetes. They also showed significant reductions in RBC, Hb, and PCV alongside significant elevations in PLT, WBC, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and MXD (p < 0.05). Fruit extract (Group D) and combined extract (Group F) treatments significantly restored all parameters toward normal control values (p < 0.05), with outcomes comparable to glibenclamide. Leaf extract alone produced limited, largely non-significant improvement. K. africana fruit extract demonstrates robust haemato-protective activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats, restoring erythrocyte indices and normalising the leukocyte differential to levels comparable with standard glibenclamide therapy. The dose of 1000 mg/kg employed here was informed by prior investigations with this species; future studies should conduct dose-response analyses and assess long-term safety before any clinical translation is considered.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19559328