Protective Effects of Gum Arabic and Olive Leaf Aqueous Extracts on Hematological Alterations in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Male Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is often linked with hematological disorders and immune dysfunctions, which are mainly attributed to oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. The protective effects of gum Arabic and olive leaf aqueous extracts alone and in combination against hematological parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic male rats was evaluated. Forty-two adult male albino rats were randomly assigned into seven groups, six rats in each group (healthy control, diabetic control, diabetic rats treated with gum Arabic, diabetic rats treated with olive leaf extract, diabetic rats treated with gum Arabic treated with olive leaf extract, healthy rats treated with gum Arabic and healthy rats treated with olive leaf extract). A single i.p. dose of alloxan monohydrate (100 mg/kg body weight) induced diabetes. The extracts were orally administered for 4 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, total white blood cell counts and differential leukocyte percentages were determined. The diabetic rats treated with alloxan exhibited significant haematological changes such as decrease in percentage lymphocytes and decrease in hemoglobin concentration, while the percentage neutrophils and percentage monocytes increased. These changes associated with diabetes were significantly improved with treatment using gum Arabic and olive leaf extract. Combined treatment exhibited the highest corrective effect as hemoglobin level was brought back to 15.57 ± 0.16 g/dL, PCV was restored to 38.43 ± 0.60% and TWBCC was returned to 7.93 ± 0.10 ×10³/mm³. It also was beneficial in maintaining a balance in leukocytes, showing higher percentage of lymphocytes and a lower percentage of neutrophils and monocytes than the untreated diabetic rats. Neither extract caused any undesirable haematological effects in healthy rats. The results showed that both the gum Arabic and the olive leaf aqueous extracts alone or in combination could act as protective agents against the diabetic changes induced in the blood of rats by alloxan. Additional studies that include oxidative stress markers, histopathological evaluation, dose–response studies, and use of standard antidiabetic controls are suggested to further elucidate the mechanisms and therapeutic implications.