Project Abstract

Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and disturbances in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus is a widely used experimental model to study the pathophysiology of diabetes. Liver enzymes play a crucial role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis, and their dysfunction is often observed in diabetic conditions. Aframomum boonei, commonly known as 'African pepper,' is a plant with various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant and antidiabetic effects. The methanolic extract of A. boonei has shown promising results in managing diabetes in previous studies. This study aimed to evaluate the in-vivo effects of the methanolic extract of A. boonei on liver enzyme function in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups control, alloxan-induced diabetic group, diabetic group treated with A. boonei extract, and diabetic group treated with metformin (standard drug). Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan. The treatment groups received the methanolic extract of A. boonei orally for 28 days. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were collected to assess liver enzyme levels. The results showed that alloxan-induced diabetic rats had significantly elevated levels of liver enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), compared to the control group. Treatment with the methanolic extract of A. boonei significantly reduced the levels of these enzymes in diabetic rats. The effects of A. boonei extract were comparable to the standard drug metformin in normalizing liver enzyme function in diabetic rats. Histopathological examination of liver tissues further supported the biochemical findings, showing reduced hepatic damage in rats treated with A. boonei extract compared to untreated diabetic rats. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of A. boonei may contribute to the protective effects on liver function in diabetic conditions. In conclusion, the methanolic extract of A. boonei demonstrated hepatoprotective effects by improving liver enzyme function in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and explore the potential therapeutic applications of A. boonei in managing diabetes-related complications.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1Background of Study

The present decade has witnessed a great and intense resurgence in the interest and use of the plant (Briskin., 2000). The healing power of herbs identified and botanical medicine has been one of the oldest practiced professions by humanity (Oduolaet al ., 2007). In fact, the use of synthetic pharmaceutical products and hepatotoxic agent reported not only to connect or some serious adverse effects but these drugs are costly and not within the reach of all. However, traditional use of herbs to promote healing is not an alien in any continent.

Diabetes mellitus represents a group of metabolic disorders in which there is an impaired glucose utilization hyperglycaemia which is an increase in the blood glucose level beyond normal values (Hazuda, 1991; Adonu et al., 2013). Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose level and disturbances in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism (Sky, 2000; Rother, 2007).

A. boonei De Wild belongs to the family Apocynaceae. It is a large evergreen tree and is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in Africa and beyond. It is distributed throughout the tropics and the rain forest of west and Central Africa (Oliver-Bever, 1986; Olajide, et al., 2000). It is known by different names in different cultures and tribal settings. The plant parts are claimed to have medicinal properties in some cultures and climes. In the local markets in West and Central Africa, Alstoniaboonei is often among the most common sold plant as crude drugs. Parts of the plant are employed for the treatment of a variety of ailments in Africa and the stem bark has been listed in the Africa Pharmacopoeia as an antimalarial drug (Bello et al ., 2009). Various pharmacological studies have been carried out on this plant products which showed that the extracts possess anti-malaria, antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties (Ojewole, 1984; Olajideet al., 2000), anthelmintic (Wright et al, 1993), diuretic, spasmolytic and hypotensive properties (Iwu, 1993), antifebrile, astringent, (Iwu and Klayman, 1993), Immuno-stimulant property (Taiwo et al, 1998), antipsychotic and anxiolytic effect (Elisabetsky and Costa-campos, 2006), reversible antifertility effect, (Raji et al, 2005), among others..

1.2.JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY

Alstoniaboonei, a large evergreen tree belonging to the family Apocynaceae is one of the widely used medicinal plants in Africa and beyond. It is distributed throughout the tropics and the rain forest of west and Central Africa (Oliver-Bever, 1986; Olajide 2000). It is known by different names in different cultures and tribal settings. It is not edible as food but possesses roots, stem barks, leaves, fruits, seeds, flowers, and latex which are claimed to have medicinal properties in some cultures and climes.

Various documented and undocumented claims have it that alcoholic or aqueous preparations from some parts of the plant especially the stem bark have medicinal uses for treating febrile illness, jaundice, painful micturition, rheumatic conditions (Ojewole, 1984; Asuzu and Onaga, 1991), as an antivenom against snake bite, as antidote against arrow poisoning etc. The extract of the stem bark is commonly used as a febrifuge in treating malaria and is listed in the African pharmacopoeia as an anti-malarial drug (Olajide et al, 2000).

Currently, there is paucity of information on the hepatic effects of A. boonei on those that it as antidiabetic drug. This study therefore aims at accessing Aspartate aminotransferase (ASP), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), on alloxan induced diabetic rabbits.

1.3. AIM

This study is aimed at evaluating the in-vivo effects of methanolic extract of A. boonei on liver enzyme function in Alloxan induced diabetes mellitus.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Determining of aspartate aminotransferease, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase on Alloxan induced male diabetic rabbits .Determining of aspartate aminotransferease, alkaline phosphatasea, alanine aminotransferase on Control

Correlate the results generated from the study of the two groups

NULL HYPOTHESIS

Methanolic extract of Alstoniaboonei stem bark, leaves and root, does not have effect on the liver function in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits

ALTERNATE HYPOTHESIS

Methanolic extract of Alstoniabooneileaves, root and stem bark have effect on the liver function of alloxan induced diabetic rabbits