Antioxidants and Haematological Effects of Crude Extract of Star Friut (Averrhoa carambola) Leave in Alloxan-Induced Female Diabetic Albino Rats

Various haematological and antioxidant parameters have aberrant values as diabetic problems worsen, and the toxic side effects of some medications used to treat diabetes have also contributed to the abnormal values of these parameters. Natural remedies derived from plants are frequently praised for being accessible, inexpensive, and safe compared to allopathic medications. This study evaluated the efficacy of 80% of methanol leaf extract of Averrhoa carambola (MEAC) in alloxan diabetic rats. Thirty female albino rats were allotted into six groups. Group 1 (Normal control), group 2 (Negative control), group 3 (Positive/Glibenclamide), group 4 (animals treated with 100 mg/kg of MEAC extract), group 5 (animals treated with 200 mg/kg of MEAC extract), group 6 (animals treated with 400 mg/kg of MEAC extract) respectively for 28 days. After treatments, antioxidant and haematological parameters were determined. This study showed no significant difference in the activity of Glutathione (GSH) between the diabetic and normal control animals. Treatment of the animals with MEAC also did not affect their GSH enzymes. The diabetic control animals exhibited a significantly (p <0.05) reduced catalase (CAT) enzyme activity compared to the normal control animals. Treatment of the diabetic control animals with MEAC at all doses increased catalase activity to levels significantly higher than the normal control animals and the diabetic animals. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly (p < 0.05) elevated in the diabetic control animals compared to the normal rats. Treatment with MEAC exhibited a significant dose-dependent decrease in MDA level compared to the diabetic control animals. Total White Blood Cells (TWBC), Hemoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cells (RBC), and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) showed a significant (P< 0.05) reduction in the diabetic animals. Treatment with MEAC extracts significantly (P< 0.05) improves the levels of these indices in diabetic animals. The findings imply that Averrhoa carambola leaf extracts are risk-free, effective at treating some biochemical and haematological abnormalities linked to diabetes mellitus and hence might be suggested as a supplement to dietary therapy.