Favour Isioma CHUKWUMA

Streptozotocin is commonly used to induce experimental diabetes in animal models which has been shown to exert hemotoxic effects in addition to its β-cell cytotoxicity. This study investigates the hemomodulatory properties of a bi-herbal leaf extract prepared from Vernonia amygdalina (bitterleaf) and Alstonia boonei in STZ-induced diabetic male Wistar rats. The plants, widely used in African ethnomedicine, are known for their antidiabetic, antioxidant, and hematopoietic activities. In this experiment, diabetes was induced using intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg), after which diabetic rats were treated orally with different doses of the bi-herbal extract for 21 days. Hematological parameters such as red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV) and white blood cell (WBC) count were evaluated alongside blood glucose levels. Results showed a significant improvement in hematological indices in the extract treated groups (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) compared to untreated diabetic controls (50 mg/kg), with effects comparable to those of standard antidiabetic drugs (10 mg/kg). The observed hematological recovery may be attributed to the synergistic action of the phytochemicals (alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins) present in both V. amygdalina and A. boonei. This study provides scientific validation for the traditional use of these plants and highlights the therapeutic potential of their combined extract in managing diabetes-induced hemotoxicity.