Anti-anaemic and Anti-leukopenic Effects of Hydromethanolic Extracts of Tiger Nut and Ginger on Alloxan- induced Diabetic Rats

Aims: This study investigated the anti-anaemic and anti- leukopenic effects of hydromethanolic (1:4) extracts of Cyperus esculentus (Tiger nut) and Zingiber officinale (Ginger) on the alloxan- induced diabetic albino rats.

Place: The in vivo study took place in the Department of Biochemistry, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia state.

Methods: Fresh Cyperus esculentus and Zingiber officinale was air dried at room temperature, grounded into fine powder and extracted with hydromethanol in ratio of 20:80 using Soxhlet extraction method. The albino rats (total number of 36) were randomly divided into 6 groups of 6 rats each: Group 1 (Normal control); Group 2 (Diabetic); Group 3 (Glibenclamide); Group 4 (500mg/dl Cyperus esculentus); Group 5 (500mg/dl Zingiber officinale) and Group 6 (250mg/dl Cyperus esculentus + 250 mg/dl Zingiber officinale, 50:50) were administered orally. Group 2 to 6 were administered with 160mg/kg alloxan monohydrate intraperitoneally to induce a diabetic state. The haematological parameters determined were PCV, HB, RBC, TWBC, MCV, MCH and MCHC.

Results: The diabetic group treated with the Glibenclamide and 500 mg/kg Zingiber officinale extract had significant recovery (compared with the normal control) from the diabetic- induced depletion of Hb, PCV and RBC than the diabetic group treated with 250 mg/kg Cyperus esculentus + 250 mg/kg Zingiber officinale extracts. 500 mg/kg Cyperus esculentus extract showed the least recovery from diabetic induced anaemia.

Conclusion: Ginger extract showed value in the recovery from anaemia and leucopenia associated with diabetes having significantly improved the values of RBC, PCV, haemoglobin and TWBC in the diabetic rats more than the effects of Tigernut and combined (ginger and tigernut) extracts. Ginger extract treatment might also increase the defense mechanism of the body against infections in diabetes.