title: Ameliorative effects of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on alloxan toxicity in Wistar rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes has been associated with several complications occasioned by oxidative stress. Thus, in treatment of the condition, these complications must also be taken into consideration. This study evaluates the effect of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius complications of diabetes induced by alloxan, on haematology and sperm morphometry using the Wistar rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diabetes was induced in 25 rats using alloxan. The diabetic rats were then divided into five groups B-F consisting of five rats per group. Groups C-E were administered with 100 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg of ethanolic leaves extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, respectively, for four weeks post treatment with alloxan, while group F received Chlorpropamide (Diabenes®, Pfizer). The diabetic rats in group B were not treated while group A served as the non diabetic control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following treatment with alloxan, there was anaemia, thrombocytopenia and leucopenia, while the sperm count, motility and live/dead ratio were significantly reduced. Sperm morphological abnormalities and erythrocyte osmotic fragility also increased significantly. Following treatment of alloxan treated-rats with the extract, there were significant increases in the PCV, RBC, Hb, WBC, MCV and the platelet values. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility, sperm count, motility and live/dead ratio also improved significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cnidoscolus aconitifolius extract was found to ameliorate the effects of alloxan induced diabetes on the haematology but not on the abnormal sperm morphometry in rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. odunayo.azeez@mail.ui.edu.ng
authors.forename: O I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Azeez
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Oyagbemi
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Oyeyemi
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Odetola
mesh_terms: D000496:Alloxan; D000818:Animals; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002747:Chlorpropamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D019665:Euphorbiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009996:Osmotic Fragility; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000496:Alloxan; D002747:Chlorpropamide