HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF CASSIA SIEBERIANA EXTRACTS IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cassia sieberiana also called “drumstick” is distributed widely in the Southern Sahel, and Sudan Savannah from Senegal to Cameroun, as far as Sudan and the republic of Congo. It is also found in most parts of Nigeria. Various parts of the plants are used for the treatment of fever, jaundice, stomach ache, gonorrhea, piles and ulcers in traditional medicine. The extract from various parts of the plant have been shown to possess some pharmacological activities like; anti-oxidant, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, laxative, wound healing and anti-malarial. Aim: The study was aimed at evaluating the hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous, Methanolic, ethyl acetate extracts of Cassia sieberiana leaves. Method: C. sieberiana leaves were extracted with 1000ml of aqueous, Methanolic, ethyl acetate for 24hrs and then filtered. The hepatoprotective effect of C. sieberiana extract (300mg/kg) and metformin (500g) was evaluated using Alloxan-induced diabetes in albino rats. Results: The phytochemical activity shows the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, balsams, cardiac glycosides and volatile oil. The extracts (300mg/kg) and metformin (500g) produced a significant (p<0.005) dose dependent decrease in Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Albumin and Bilirubin levels in serum of treated rats when compared with the Diabetic Control group (DC). Conclusion: The result of this work demonstrates that Cassia sieberiana extracts were found to have effect to the liver of Alloxan-induced diabetic rats with reference to the result of the liver function test carried out. This may be due to the presence of some phytochemicals in it. It also justifies the essential use of cassia sieberiana leaves in the treatment of several diseases.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cassia sieberiana also called “drumstick” is distributed widely in the Southern Sahel, and Sudan Savannah from Senegal to Cameroun, as far as Sudan and the republic of Congo. It is also found in most parts of Nigeria. Various parts of the plants are used for the treatment of fever, jaundice, stomach ache, gonorrhea, piles and ulcers in traditional medicine. The extract from various parts of the plant have been shown to possess some pharmacological activities like; anti-oxidant, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, laxative, wound healing and anti-malarial. Aim: The study was aimed at evaluating the hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous, Methanolic, ethyl acetate extracts of Cassia sieberiana leaves. Method: C. sieberiana leaves were extracted with 1000ml of aqueous, Methanolic, ethyl acetate for 24hrs and then filtered. The hepatoprotective effect of C. sieberiana extract (300mg/kg) and metformin (500g) was evaluated using Alloxan-induced diabetes in albino rats. Results: The phytochemical activity shows the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, balsams, cardiac glycosides and volatile oil. The extracts (300mg/kg) and metformin (500g) produced a significant (p<0.005) dose dependent decrease in Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Albumin and Bilirubin levels in serum of treated rats when compared with the Diabetic Control group (DC). Conclusion: The result of this work demonstrates that Cassia sieberiana extracts were found to have effect to the liver of Alloxan-induced diabetic rats with reference to the result of the liver function test carried out. This may be due to the presence of some phytochemicals in it. It also justifies the essential use of cassia sieberiana leaves in the treatment of several diseases.