Evaluation of liver marker enzymes and biochemical indices of alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats treated with aqueous extract of <i>Pennisetum purpureum</i>

Abstract

Liver marker enzymes, total protein, amylase and glucose were evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic wistar rats treated with aqueous extract of Pennisetum purpureum. The liver marker enzymes evaluated were alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Sixteen wistar rats were grouped into four which were administered with alloxan; a toxic glucose analogue that caused a hyperglycaemic state. 12 and 15% aqueous extract of P. purpureum were administered to these rats at a dose of 20mg/kg. The result of this study showed that there was significant elevation (P<0.05) of glucose, AST, ALT, total protein (TP) and amylase in comparison to groups 1 and 2. The values of AST, ALT and glucose in groups 3 and 4 significantly decreased in comparison to groups 2, while the total protein and amylase showed no significant change. The aqueous extract of P. purpureum significantly lowered the blood glucose, AST and ALT. Total protein and amylase were not significantly lowered when administered with the 12% of extract but were significantly lowered when administered 15% of the extract. This study reveals that the aqueous of P. purpureum significantly lowered the biochemical parameters studied on alloxan-induced diabetic wistar rats by significantly (P<0.05) lowering blood glucose, AST and ALT and amylase levels and an elevation in the Total protein level, hence pointing in the direction of the use of this plant as an anti-diabetic agent in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Keywords: Toxic glucose analogue, Therapeutic target, Hyperglycaemicstate