Project Abstract

Diabetes mellitus produces a lot of highly reactive oxygen species which have been attributed to the aetiology and pathophysiology of the disease. In view of the adverse effects associated with synthetic drugs and natural medicine being considered to be safer, cheaper and more effective, traditional antidiabetic plants can be explored. The results of the experiment showed that there were significant increases (P<0.05) in the concentrations of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triacylglycerol (TAG) in group 2 rats (diabetic untreated) compared with normal control rats (group 1). Administration of 300 mg/kg b.w. of ethanol extracts of Euphorbia hirta to rats in group 3 to 6 and 0.01mg/kg b.w of voglibose to rats in group 7 showed significant reduction (p<0.05) in total cholesterol, LDL and TAG concentrations. On the other hand, there was significant decrease (p<0.05) in high density density (HDL) concentrations in the group 2 (diabetic untreated) compared with group 1 (normal rats). However, administration of 300 mg/kg b.w of ethanol extracts of E. hirta to rats in group 3 to 6 and 0.01 mg/kg b.w to rats in group 7 showed significant increase (p<0.05) in HDL concentration. There was no significant increase (p>0.05) in sodium and bicarbonate ion concentrations but significant increase (p<0.05) in potassium and chloride ion concentrations in diabetic untreated rats (group 2) compared with rats in normal control group. There was significant increase (p<0.05) in serum urea and creatinine concentrations in diabetics untreated rats (group 2) compared with normal rats (group 1). Administration of 300 mg/kg b.w. of ethanol extract of E. hirta to groups 3 to 6 and 0.01 mg/kg b.w. of voglibose to group 7 resulted in significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum urea and creatinine concentrations. There was significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum catalarse and superoxide dismutase activities and vitamin C concentration with significant increase (p<0.05) in serum malondialdehyde concentration in group 2 (diabetics untreated rats) compared with normal rats (group 1). However, addition of 300 mg/kg b.w. of ethanol extract of E. hirta to Groups 3 to 6 and 0.01 mg/kg b.w. of voglibose to group 7 resulted in significant increase (p<0.05) in serum catalase and superoxide dismutase activities and vitamin C concentration, with significant decrease (p<0.05) in MDA concentration compared with the diabetic untreated rats (group 2). There was significant increase (p<0.05) in blood glucose concentration in rats of group 2 to 7 before administration of ethanol extracts of E. hirta and voglibose compared with normal rats (group 1). When 300 mg/kg b.w. of ethanol extract of E. hirta was administered to groups 3 to 6 and 0.01 mg/kg b.w. of voglibose to group 7, there was significant decrease (p<0.05) in blood glucose concentration compared with diabetic untreated (group 2). The administration of 300 mg/kg b.w. of ethanol extract of E. hirta and 0.01 mg/kg b.w. of voglibose showed significant increase (p<0.05) in the body weights of the rats in groups 4 to 7 compared with that of normal control. No significant increase (p>0.05) in the body weights of rats in group 2 and 3 compared with normal rats (group 1). When 300 mg/kg b.w. of ethanol extract of E. hirta and 0.01 mg/kg b.w. of voglibose were administered to rats in groups 3 to 7, there was significant increase (p<0.05) in the body weights of the rats compared with diabetic untreated rats (group 2).

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