EFFECTS OF GONGRONEMA LATIFOLIA AND OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM COMBINED AQUEOUS EXTRACTS ON ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATTUS NOVERGICUS
ABSTRACT
The effect of combined aqueous leaves extracts of O. gratissimum and G. latifolium on alloxan-induced diabetic Rattusnorvegicuswas investigated for 28 days. Lethal dose (LD50) and phytochemical compositions were determined by standard methods. A total of 90 rats were divided into six groups (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) of fifteen rats per group, with each group comprising of three replicates of five rats each. The treatment group 2, 3 and 4 were administered 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 350 mg/kg respectively. Group 1(normal control), 5 (standard control) and 6 (negative control) were administered distilled water, standard drug (Glibenclamide) and distilled water respectively. All the administration was done by oral intubation. Body weight, blood glucose levels, haematological, lipid profiles, biochemical parameters and histopathology were determined using standard methods. A non-significant decrease (p> 0.05) was recorded in the body weight of rats. Significant decreases (p< 0.05) were recorded in the blood glucose levels of rats. There were no significant differences (p> 0.05) in the lipid profiles and liver enzymes. The effects of O. gratissimum and G. latifolium combined extracts on other haematological parameters were not significant (p> 0.05) but a significant increase (p< 0.05) was recorded in the haemoglobin concentration. No significant (p> 0.05) histopathological lesions were observed in the liver while significant pathologic renal degeneration (p < 0.05) was observed in kidney histology. The result therefore, suggests that G. latifolium and O. gratissimum have hypoglycaemic, non- haematotoxic and hepatoprotective effects on alloxan–induced diabetic rats. Generally, they are non-toxic even at high dose of 350mg/kg body weight.