Effect of Root and Leaf Extracts of Tetracarpidium conophorum on Liver Enzyme Levels in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats
Ogbonna Onyemaechi John *
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Udia Pius Monday
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Ikechi Winifred Nneka
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Ogbeihe Geraldine Ogom
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Omoregha Charles Uwaifiokun
Department of Pharmarcology, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Nnaemeka Louis Benedict
Department of Medicine and Surgery, All Saints University School of Medicine, Roseau, Dominica.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: Tetracarpidium conophorum is a climbing shrub grown principally for its leaf, root, fruit and nut in Southern Nigeria and Western Cameroon. This study was conducted to assess the liver function status in alloxan- induced diabetic rats treated with methanol extracts of leaf and root of Tetracarpidium conophorum.
Methodology: The leaf and root extracts of Tetracarpidium conophorum were obtained using Soxhlet extractor and diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (100mg/kg). Plasma levels of glucose, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were estimated using standard diagnostic kits and procedures.
Results: The results from this study show significant (P<0.001) elevation of ALP, AST and ALT levels in alloxan- induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of leaf and root extracts of Tetracarpidium conophorum for 14 days significantly (P<0.001) lowered diabetic induced serum liver enzyme levels.
Conclusion: The present results indicate that the leaf and root extracts of Tetracarpidium conophorum possess potent antidiabetic and hepatoprotective activities and could be exploited in the development of antidiabetic and hepatoprotective drugs.
Keywords: Tetracarpidium conophorum, diabetes mellitus, liver enzymes, rats, alloxan, hepatoprotective