Modulatory Potentials of Flavonoid-Rich Extract of Detarium senegalense (FREDS) on Hematological indices and Lipid Metabolism in STZ-induced Diabetes in Wistar Rats

This study examined the effects of a flavonoid-rich extract of Detarium senegalense (FREDS) on haematological parameters and lipid profiles in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. A total of forty-two (42) rats were randomly assigned to seven groups. All groups, except the normal control, were administered 45 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of STZ. The treatment groups included: diabetic control (normal saline), metformin (100 mg/kg b.w.), sildenafil (100 mg/kg b.w.), and three FREDS groups (50 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg b.w.). Diabetes induction resulted in a significant (p<0.05) increase in white blood cells (WBC; including neutrophils, lymphocytes, and basophils), serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), triglycerides, along with a decrease in red blood cells (RBC; hematocrit, haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin, and mean cell haemoglobin concentration), platelet percentage, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). Treatment with FREDS significantly (p<0.05) reduced WBC, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides, while increasing RBC, platelet percentage, and HDL levels in a dose-dependent manner, with the most pronounced effects observed in the 100 mg/kg FREDS group compared to the normal control. These findings suggest that FREDS effectively improves both haematological parameters and lipid metabolism. This study indicates that Detarium senegalense flavonoid-rich extracts may serve as a promising therapeutic option for managing haematological abnormalities, hyperlipidemia, and related metabolic disorders in diabetes, potentially offering an alternative to conventional treatments.