THE HISTOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF THE N-HEXANE FRACTION OF TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS LEAVES ON THE LIVER OF STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATS

Arayombo Babatunde E.*, Adewole Stephen O., Solomon Abolade A.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: DM is a metabolic disorder that not only impairs pancreatic function but also disrupts liver protein balance and compromises hepatic structural integrity. Aim: To assess the effect of the n-hexane fractions of TO (nHFTO) leaves extracts on liver injury caused by DM. Methodology: Thirty-six adults male Wistar rats weighing between 190-200g were randomly assigned to six groups (1-6) of six rats each. All rats were fed high fat rat diet for 4 weeks and given free access to water. Group 1 received 2 mL/kg of distilled water orally for 28 days. DM was induced in groups 2-6 by the intraperitoneal administration of STZ 45mg/kg for 5 days and 24 hours after STZ, rats in group 2 were sacrificed. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were treated with nHFTO 20, 40, 60 mg/kg/day, respectively for 28 days. Group 6 was treated with (Humulin 70:30) Insulin 5 IU/kg/day subcutaneously for 28 days. Following the completion of STZ, nHFTO, and insulin treatments, animals in group 3 – 6 were allowed a 2-week washout period. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed, liver was harvested and fixed in 10% formol saline for histological processing. The blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture to assay for Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Gamma-Glutamyl transferase (GGT), Packed cell volume (PCV), albumin, bilirubin and total protein. Conclusion: nHFTO treatment produced a dose-dependent hepatoprotection, antihyperglycemic effects and hematological restoration against STZ-induced DM. highest dose of nHFTO showed optimal activity in effects compared to the standard drug.

Keywords: Streptozotocin, liver, Insulin, nHFTO.