ALTERATIONS IN HISTO-ARCHITECTURE OF SELECTED TISSUES IN CO-ADMINISTRATION OF IPOMOEA BATATA EXTRACT AND ANTI-OXIDANT VITAMIN TO DIABETIC WISTAR RATS

*A. A. Aigbiremolen, O. M. Odigie, I. O. Iribhogbe and C. P. Aloamaka

ABSTRACT

Reports on the importance of potato leaf (Ipomoea Batata) extract on various physiological systems of the human body are rife; with most showing it to be medicinal, pharmacological, and efficacious in the management of disease conditions, including blood related ailments. However, little or no record(s) have detailed its hypoglycaemic effect on body weights in relation to changes in the histo-architecture of selected tissues. Current study examined the effect of Ipomoea Batata leaf aqueous extract on blood sugar levels, body weights and histology of selected visceral [pancreas, liver and kidney]; in alloxan induced diabetic wistar rats. Twenty five (25) healthy Wistar rats of an average weight of between 140 – 200g were procured from the animal unit of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State. They were then acclimatized for two (2) weeks and randomly grouped into five (5) [G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5]; G1 (Control) received standard rat diets ad libitum, While G2 was fed daily with calculated doses of aqueous extract of sweet potato leaf per kg body weight after inducing diabetes mellitus (DM) with alloxan monohydrate. G3 and G4 (DM induced) were orally given (by mixing with diets, daily for two weeks) vitamin C and extract + vitamin C (Co-administration) respectively, group 5 (G5) received calculated doses of extract + vitamin E per kg body weight for 2weeks. For each group, Body weights were checked weekly, at the end of which animals were sacrificed with their liver, pancreas and kidneys harvested for histo-architectural changes. Blood samples were also obtained (using cardiac puncture) for analysis of changes in glucose levels. Following comparison (using the student t-test), study found a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in body weights and blood sugar levels of experimental groups [G2 – G5] compared with control [G1]; study also observed ameliorative changes in pancreatic, liver and renal histo-architectures (using H and E x 40) of DM induced rats as against non-diabetic (control) rats.

Keywords: Ipomoea Batata, haematological indices, Wistar rats.