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

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.