Effect of Poly-Herbal Formula (PHF5) on Hepatoprotective and Biochemical Parameters of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Background: The current estimates by World Health Organization revealed that near 2030, the number of diabetic patients will reach up to 370 million in the world wide . It would be one of the most common degenerative illnesses in human beings in future that needs to seek urgent solution. Plants have been the major source of medicine since the ancient time.

Purpose: This study evaluated the hepaprotective action of Ocimum gratissimum, Gnetum africanum, Gongronema latifolium, Vernonia amygdalina and Aloe Barbadensis leaf extracts and their effects on biochemical parameters of induced alloxan diabetic wister rats. Standard methods were used in the extraction process.

Methods: Thirty (30) male Wistar rats weighing (80_120) grams were obtained and they were kept in animal house to acclimatize for two weeks prior to the experiment. The rats were divided into six groups containing five rats each. Group 1 served as normal control, group 2 had the diabetic rats treated with PHF5 (75 mg/kg bodyweight); group 3 contained diabetic rats treated with PHF5 (150 mg/kg bodyweight); group 4 contained diabetic rats treated with PHF5 (300 mg/kg bodyweight); group 5 had diabetic rats not given any intervention, group 6 contained diabetic rats treated with Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg bodyweight). The rats were induced via intra peritoneal by using alloxan monohydrate (100 mg/kg bodyweight). Extracts of PHF5 were administered to the rats orally for eight weeks, after which rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation under light ether anaesthesia. Blood was collected for biochemical evaluation using standard techniques (Randox kits). Fasting blood glucose level was checked weekly.

Results: Acute toxicity studies of PHF5 revealed no toxicity to the animals that received the PHF5 dose up to 1000 mg/kg bodyweight. The increased liver (Aspartate amino transferase, Alanine Transferase and Alkaline Phosphatase) marker enzymes in the diabetic rats were significantly (p<0.05) lowered in the PHF5 treated rats and found to be within the normal range while total protein was significantly higher showed no effect on the liver total protein.

Conclusion: It is concluded that this study suggest that treating alloxan induced diabetic rats with poly herbal formulated (PHF5); Ocimum gratissimum, Gnetum africanum, Gongronema latifolium, Vernonia amygdalina, and Aloe Barbadensis leaf extracts in different doses of mg/kg enhanced hepaprotective protection against body damage.