Effect of crude extract and fractions of Napoleonae imperialis on serum electrolytes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major disorder contributing to human mortality and morbidity, globally. The use of medicinal plants in the management of diabetes is gaining global popularity due to their accessibility and cost-effectiveness. In this study, we evaluated the effects of crude extract and fractions of Napoleonae imperialis on the serum electrolytes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In phase one, forty-two male albino rats of mean weight 120 g were used for the study. The animals were grouped into seven of six rats each - Group 1 (normal control), group 2 (diabetic group), group 3 (drug control), groups 4, 5 and 6 (the test groups administered 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of the crude extract) and group 7 (500 mg/kg of the extract only). In phase two, a total of 54 animals of mean weight 120 g were placed into nine groups of six rats each. Group 1 constituted the normal control, group 2 (diabetic control), group 3 (drug control), while groups 4 - 9 received 500 mg/kg of fractions 1 - 6 respectively. Treatment lasted for 28 days, after which the animals were sacrificed under mild ether anesthesia. Blood samples were collected for serum electrolyte analysis using standard biochemical methods There was significant (p < 0.05) decrease in blood glucose concentration, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-, HCO₃^- levels in groups 3 - 7 when compared with group 2 (diabetic control) in phase one. In phase two, the results showed that fractions 2, 5 and 6 significantly reduced blood glucose concentration, and Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-, HCO₃^- levels when compared with group 2 (diabetic control). The findings from this study showed that crude extract and fractions of N. imperialis normalized blood glucose concentrations and serum electrolyte levels indicating its potential therapeutic benefits. Investigation is needed to exploit its relevant therapeutic effect to substantiate its ethnomedicinal usage.