Studies On The Effects Of An Alcohol Extract Of The Leaves Of <I>Telfairia occidentialis</I> On Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

The effect of 96% ethanol extract of the leaf of Telfaria ocidentalis on alloxan induced diabetic rats were investigated. A dose of 500mg/kg of the extract was orally administered daily to the test animals for 9 days while the control animals received saline. The following biochemical parameters were evaluated: haemoglobin, glucose, cholesterol, total protein, proteins fractions, Alanine Amino transferase (ALAT) and Aspartate Transaminase (ASAT) levels. The weight of animal were also monitored. Glucose concentration and ASAT/ALAT quotient increased while ALAT activity decreased significally in the test animal compared with control (p<0.05). The extract also enhanced the growth of the diabetic animals. The extract did not show hypoglycemic effect.

KEY WORDS: Telfairia occidentalis, diabetes, biochemical parameters.

Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.11(1) 2005: 77-79