Research Article Comparative Biochemical Implications of

Research Article

Vol: 2; Issue: 3

Comparative Biochemical Implications of administrations of extracts of Scoparia dulcis and Loranthus begwensis in Normal and Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats. 1

Aghagboren C. Osaro, 1Uadia O. Patrick and 2Omage Kingsley*

1

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. 2 Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.

Date Received:

Date of Accepted:

Date Published:

10-Feb-2014

12-Mar-2014

18-Mar-2014

Abstract: The comparative effects of aqueous extracts of Scoparia dulcis and African Mistletoe (Loranthus begwensis) from two host plants (Cocoa and almond) on biochemical parameters (that are indicators of disorders associated with the diabetic states) in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rat were studied. The rats were treated orally with the extracts at a dose of 500mg/kg/day for six days. Induction of diabetes with alloxan resulted in a significant increase (P 0.05) increased by the plant extracts. The plant extracts appeared not to be toxic to the tissues at the dose they were administered. Mistletoe and Scoparia dulcis extract appeared to possibly ameliorate the complications associated with diabetes mellitus, offering the possibility of their clinical use in its management. Thus, Scoparia dulcis and African mistletoe (Loranthus begwensis) from the two host plants (cocoa and almond) are relatively safe and effective in the management of disorders associated with the diabetic state.

Keywords:

Alloxan, Diabetic States, Loranthus begwensis, Scoparia dulcis, Transaminases, Urea

Introduction Alloxan (2,4,5,6 – tetraoxypyrimidine, 5, 6 – dioxyuracil) is synthesized by uric acid oxidation (Lenzen and Panten 1988). Alloxan diabetes has been commonly utilized as an animal model of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. The most frequently used intravenous dose of this drug to induce diabetes in rates is 65mg/kg (Gruppruso et al, 1990, Boyla et al, 1992). Fasted animals are more susceptible to alloxan (Katsumata et al, 1992, Szkudelski et al, 1998). Increased blood, glucose provides portal protection (Bansal et al, 1980). Alloxan evokes a sudden rise in insulin secretion in the presence or absence of glucose in an in vitro study using isolated islets (Weaver et al, 1996) and perfused pancreas (Klibber et al, 1996). The sudden rise in blood insulin concentration was also observed inviro just after Alloxan injection to rats (Szkudelski et al, 1998). Alloxan induced insulin release is however of shorter duration and is followed

by complete suppression of the islet response to glucose (Klibber et al, 1996). The action of Alloxan in the pancreas is preceded by its rapid uptake by the beta cells (Weaver et al, 1978; Boquist et al, 1983). Rapid uptake by insulin-secreting cells has been proposed to be one of the important features determining alloxan diabetogenicity. Another aspect concerns the formation of reactive oxygen species (Heikkila et al, 1976). Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disorder of carbohydrates, fat and protein metabolism caused by a deficiency in the secretion and action of insulin. It is likely to remain a significant threat to public health in the years to come. There is a reasonable prospect that in the future, transplantation of pancreatic tissue will provide diabetes patient with a source of insulin that responds as well as normal pancreas, releasing insulin into blood stream only when blood glucose rises (Nelson and Cox, 2006). Despite the considerable

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progress in the understanding and management of diabetes mellitus, the disease and the complications related to it continue to increase. Therefore, since diabetes is progressing unabated, there is an urgent need to identify indigenous natural sources of new active substances against the disease. Scoparia dulcis and Loranthus begwensis (African mistletoe) are both among a wide range of different medicinal plants that has been used as remedy for diabetes mellitus for years in different geographical locations. A number of active principles from Scoparia, Scoparic acid A-D, Scopadulcic A and B, Scopaldulciol and scopadulin have been identified as contributors to the medicinal properties of the plants (Latha and Pari, 2005). Scientific studies has shown that mistletoe posses antihypertensive, antineoplastic, immunostimulant, anticancer, cytotoxic properties. African mistletoe (Loranthus begwensis) has been found particularly to posses antidiabetic properties. Mistletoe, a parasitic plant, is peculiar and has been used for years in treating diabetes. Traditionally, it has been used to treat diabetes particularly in places like Nigeria. However, there is dearth of information about the comparative effects of these plants on some serum biochemical parameters that are implicated in diabetic conditions. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative implications of these plants (Scoparia dulcis and Loranthus begwensis) on some serum biochemical parameters in diabetic conditions using alloxan-induced diabetic rats as experimental models. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experimental Animals Forty (40) adult Wistar albino rats weighing between 120 – 180 g were obtained from the animal house of the College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State and used for the study. They were housed in standard disinfected cages in the animal house of the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City Edo State. They were exposed to a 12 hr light/dark cycle, 50 – 60% relative humidity and a temperature of about 300C. The animals were allowed free access to feed (guinea grower’s mash) and tap water, and were treated according to the International guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals. They were allowed to acclimatize to the new environment for a period of two (2) weeks, after which they were randomized into eight (8) groups of five animals each as follows; Group A: Normal rats (control) treated with Scoparia dulcis plant extract. Group B: Normal rats (control) treated with Loranthus begwensis (Cocoa mistletoe) plant extract. Group C: Normal rats (control) treated with Loranthus begwensis (Almond mistletoe) plant extract

Group D: Normal rats (control) not treated or induced. Group E: Test rats induced and treated with Scoparia dulcis plant extract. Group F: Test rats induced and treated with Loranthus begwensis (Cocoa mistletoe) plant extract. Group G: Test rats induced and treated with Loranthus begwensis (Almond mistletoe) plant extract. Group H: Test rats induced but not treated. Experimental Induction of Diabetes Prior to induction, the fasting blood glucose levels of the experimental animals were determined to establish their basal metabolic status. Diabetes was then induced by administering alloxan intraperitoneally in physiological saline, at a dose of 100mg/kg body weight. This was done twice. Twenty-four (24) hours after the last induction, the fasting blood sugar of the animals was determined and values that were at least twice the basal values were taken to be diabetic. Plants Extracts Scoparia dulcis : Fresh (whole) plant of Scoparia dulcis was collected from local gardens within Benin City. It was identified and authenticated at the department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin. The whole plant was washed and air-dried until a constant weight was obtained. The dried plant was then milled into fine powder and weighed. The powder was then extracted with distilled water by the method of continuous hot extraction for eight (8) hours, using the soxhlet apparatus (Jain, 1968). The extract was concentrated by evaporating the solvent (water) totally to dryness, using a rotavapour apparatus, and weighed. Loranthus begwensis (African Mistletoe): Fresh leaves of Loranthus begwensis was collected from host plants; Cocoa tree (from Ewu, Edo State) and Almond tree (from Delta State). They were identified and authenticated at the department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin. The leaves were washed and air-dried until a constant weight was obtained. The dried leaves were then milled into fine powder and weighed. Each powder was extracted with distilled water by the method of continuous hot extraction for eight (8) hours, using the soxhlet apparatus (Jain, 1968). The extract was concentrated by evaporating the solvent (water) totally to dryness, using a rotavapour apparatus, and weighed. Administration of Extracts Prior to the treatments with extracts, the plasma levels of glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin and cholesterol were determined. The dried concentrated extracts were dissolved in physiological saline and administered in the form of a solution. The extracts (solutions) were then administered orally at a dose of 500mg/kg body weight to the experimental animals as grouped above, with the

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control (not treated) group given equivalent amount of physiological saline throughout the six days of treatment. Sample Collection Fasting blood samples were collected, via the tails of the rats, before inducement of diabetes (basal), 24 hrs after induction to confirm the diabetic status of the rats, and at 48 hrs interval throughout the six days of treatment. The blood samples were analyzed for urea, creatinine, AST, ALT, ALP and Total Bilirubin (lithium heparin bottles), using the spectrophotometric method (with their respective reagent kits from Randox Laboratory Limited, U.K.). Assay Principles Urea determination was by Weatherbum 1967 (Urease Berthelot method). Urea in serum was hydrolyzed to ammonia in the presence of urease. The ammonia was then measured photometrically by Berthelot reaction at 546nm. Creatinine was determined by the method of Bartels and Bohmer, 1972. The principle involved the reaction of creatinine in alkaline solution with picric acid to form a coloured complex. The amount of the complex formed was directly proportional to the creatinine concentration. The intensity of the red coloured complex was measured at 492nm. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was by the method of Reitman and Frankel, 1957, where ALT was measured by monitoring the concentration of pyruvate hydrazone formed with 2,4 – dinitrophenyl hydrazine at 546nm. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was also by the method of Reitman and Frankel, 1957, where AST was measured by monitoring the concentration of oxaloacetate formed with 2, 4- dimtrophenyl hydrazine at 546nm. Bilirubin was determined by the method of Jendrassik and Grof, (1938). The principle involves the reaction of direct (conjugated) bilirubin with diazotized sulphanilic acid in alkaline medium to form a blue colored complex. Total bilrubin was determined in the presence of caffeine, which releases albumin bound bilrubin, by the reaction with diazotized sulphanilic acid and absorbance was read at 578nm. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was determined by the method of Rec. GSCC 1972. The principle involves the hydrolysis of P-nitrophenylphosphate to phosphate and P-nitrophenol with the intensity of the yellow colour PNP formed from PNPP determined by ALP action at 405nm. Statistical Analysis Data are mean ± standard deviation of five independent determinations. Statistical analysis was by student t-test for unpaired data, at P < 0.05.

RESULTS Table 1: Effects of extracts of Scoparia dulcis, Almond mistletoe and Cocoa mistletoe on plasma Urea, Creatinine, AST, ALT, ALP and Total Bilirubin concentrations in normal rats. Values are expressed as Mean ± SD, n = 5. Different letter superscripts (a, b, c, d) along columns and within groups, are significantly different (P < 0.05). Group A: Normal rats treated with Scoparia dulcis extract. Group B: Normal rats treated with Cocoa mistletoe. Group C: Normal rats treated with Almond mistletoe. Group D: Normal rats and non-treated. In table 1, urea concentrations in groups B, C and D were not significantly different (P > 0.05) when the baseline (day 0) values are compared with the values at days 2, 4 and 6. However, at day 6, group A showed a significantly (P < 0.05) lower value as compared with day 0. In groups A, B and D, creatinine levels were not significantly different (P > 0.05) when the baseline (day 0) values are compared with the values at days 2, 4 and 6. But in group C, treatment with almond mistletoe resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) lower values of creatinine at days 4 and 6, when compared with day 0. AST, ALT and ALP were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by treatment with the different extracts, while total bilirubin were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in groups A (days 2, 4 and 6, compared with day 0) and D (day 2 compared with day 0). Table 2: Effects of extracts of Scoparia dulcis, Almond mistletoe and Cocoa mistletoe on plasma Urea, Creatinine, AST, ALT, ALP and Total Bilirubin concentrations in diabetic rats. Values are expressed as Mean ± SD, n = 5. Different letter superscripts (a, b, c, d, e) along columns and within groups, are significantly different (P < 0.05). Group E: Diabetic rats treated with Scoparia dulcis. Group F: Diabetic rats treated with Cocoa mistletoe. Group G: Diabetic rats treated with Almond extract. Group H: Diabetic rats not treated. In table 2, induction resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) higher urea value in group E. However, treatment with the extract (Scoparia dulcis) resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) lower values at days 2, 4 and 6, as compared with the value after induction. Groups F, G and H showed significantly (P < 0.05) increased values of urea after induction, but these values were not significantly (P > 0.05) reduced after treatment with the extracts (cocoa mistletoe and almond mistletoe) at days 2, 4 and 6, as compared with the values after induction. Creatinine levels were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in all the groups after induction of diabetes. Treatment with the extracts resulted in significant (P < 0.05) reductions in the values as compared with those after induction. AST levels were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected after

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induction of diabetes in all the groups and treatment with the extracts. In groups E, F and H, induction of diabetes and treatment (groups E and F) did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect the values of ALT. But in group G, treatment with the extract (almond mistletoe) resulted in significant (P < 0.05) decreases in ALT values at days 4 and 6, as compared with the value after induction. Induction of diabetes with alloxan resulted in significant (P < 0.05) increases in values of ALP in groups E, F and H, and a Group

Day Urea (mg/dl)

A

B

C

D

0 2 4 6 0 2 4 6 0 2 4 6 0 2 4 6

45.30 ±7.5a 40.00±10.7a 40.10 ±7.5a 30.40 ±6.1b 52.45 ±5.0a 68.38±14.8a 63.15 ±7.9a 67.96±26.8a 47.21 ±1.3a 71.15±37.9a 65.85 ±2.2a 49.41 ±5.0a 50.68 ±3.8a 49.56 ±2.3a 48.80 ±5.1a 51.24 ±5.5a

Creatinine (mg/dl) 0.47 ± 0.2a 0.50 ± 0.2a 0.46 ± 0.2a 0.56 ± 0.3a 0.47 ± 0.2a 0.45 ± 0.3a 0.35 ± 0.1a 0.20 ± 0.1a 0.49 ± 0.0a 0.42 ± 0.2a 0.37 ± 0.0b 0.24 ± 0.0c 0.58 ± 0.2a 0.50 ± 0.3a 0.60 ± 0.2a 0.69 ± 0.2a

non significant (P > 0.05) increase in group G. However, treatment with the extracts resulted in significant (P < 0.05) decreases in ALP levels in all the groups treated. The levels of total bilirubin were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected in all the groups after induction with alloxan, but treatment with the extracts resulted in significant (P < 0.05) decreases in total bilirubin in groups E (given Scoparia dulcis) and group G (given almond mistletoe). Parameters AST (U/L) ALT (U/L)

ALP (U/L)

35.58±11.9a 32.20 ± 9.6a 30.03 ± 7.1a 31.47±11.9a 20.87 ± 2.7a 20.80 ± 4.7a 21.53 ± 6.7a 28.07 ± 7.3a 26.10 ± 7.4a 33.25 ± 5.6a 34.70 ± 4.0a 40.45±10.5a 43.32±18.1a 41.68 ± 9.1a 38.70±13.2a 40.64±12.9a

30.19±9.4a 21.19±11.1a 15.48±12.9a 16.18±15.7a 31.85 ± 6.6a 20.59±11.9a 21.03 ± 7.6a 15.65±11.7a 40.74±27.6a 26.06±12.3a 19.18 ± 7.0a 17.55 ± 0.9a 36.98±14.2a 34.88±12.1a 36.16±11.1a 36.72±11.9a

19.38±4.4a 19.80±5.1a 15.90±5.1a 15.88±5.6a 14.40±2.7a 11.83±1.4a 14.40±4.6a 15.30±6.9a 20.05±3.9a 20.00±3.3a 19.80±1.8a 20.40±2.3a 19.50±5.9a 29.64±6.4a 25.00±6.5a 25.46±3.1a

Total Bil. (mg/dl) 1.54 ± 0.5a 0.71 ± 0.5b 0.14 ± 0.3c 0.21 ± 0.3d 0.79 ± 0.4a 0.50 ± 0.2a 0.13 ± 0.2a 0.21 ± 0.2a 2.16 ± 1.3a 1.16 ± 1.4a 0.61 ± 0.7a 0.65 ± 0.7a 1.30 ± 0.2a 1.10 ± 0.1b 1.27 ± 0.3a 1.17 ± 0.1a

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Table 2: Effects of extracts of Scoparia dulcis, Almond mistletoe and Cocoa mistletoe on plasma Urea, Creatinine, AST, ALT, ALP and Total Bilirubin concentrations in diabetic rats. Parameters Group

Day

45.35 ± 7.8a

Creatinine (mg/dl) 0.73 ±0.3a

110.94±25.8b

2.40 ±0.8b

34.9±18.4a

23.21±6.3a

43.6 ±8.9b

0.74±0.5a

96.28 ± 18.5b 85.93 ± 17.9c 51.50 ± 18.5d 44.89 ± 9.7a

1.80 ±1.1b 1.20 ±0.5c 0.70 ±0.3c 0.63 ±0.3a

35.5±17.0a 38.9±17.0a 40.1±19.3a 32.3±12.6a

22.90±5.3a 21.52±6.8a 19.63±7.3a 17.33±3.2a

36.3±10.5b 26.1±11.8c 23.8±12.1d 29.5 ±8.1a

0.43±0.3a 0.21±0.2b 0.41±0.2a 1.16±0.7a

104.70 ±34.2b

2.48 ±0.5b

30.0±14.8a

23.33±4.2a

51.6±10.2b

1.34±0.9a

74.03 ± 33.9b 62.68 ± 14.4b

2.07 ±0.6b 1.45 ±0.4c

34.7±12.5a 35.9±13.4a

20.15±3.4a 21.73±2.7a

35.5 ±7.6c 22.9 ±9.9d

1.29±0.7a 0.72±0.6a

6 Basal After Induction 2 4 6 Basal After Induction 2 4

57.23 ± 20.3b 46.04 ± 6.6a

0.76 ±0.2d 0.52 ±0.2a

43.7±11.3a 32.1±6.2a

24.05±4.0a 16.59±5.3a

14.7 ±5.7e 33.4±12.9a

0.60±0.2a 0.94±0.3a

102.00±35.7b

1.87 ±0.6b

24.6±4.6a

15.45±2.1a

41.0±15.6a

0.99±0.6a

79.35 ± 16.5b 69.30 ± 10.1b 64.18 ± 6.3b 49.03 ± 5.0a

0.94 ±0.5b 1.05 ±0.4b 0.89 ±0.3c 0.48 ±0.1a

22.3±5.0a 19.3±3.1a 20.5±5.2a 43.2±16.6a

17.38±3.9a 19.75±2.5b 22.78±3.6c 23.3±11.2a

30.7±17.4a 23.4±9.0a 16.4±5.5b 40.9±9.3a

0.30±0.3a 0.18±0.2b 0.01±0.0c 1.16±0.2a

127.50±38.3b

1.88 ±0.5b

34.9±9.6a

23.1±14.8a

52.2±10.7b

2.73±2.5a

167.01±61.0b 158.50±36.9b

2.06 ±0.2b 2.00 ±0.4b

28.1±7.2a 27.9±7.0a

18.84±8.6a 17.24±6.2a

46.7±7.3b 39.5±6.6c

2.04±1.0a 1.65±0.5a

6

155.57±33.9b

1.76 ±0.3b

28.0±10.6a

16.76±7.7a

34.1±4.6d

1.46±0.7a

Basal After Induction 2 4 6 Basal After Induction 2 4

E

F

G

H

Urea (mg/dl)

AST (U/L)

ALT (U/L)

ALP (U/L)

47.6±20.4a

24.32±3.6a

33.9 ±8.0a

Total Bil. (mg/dl) 1.36±1.2a

0.8 NORMA L; TREA TED WITH COCOA MISTLETOE

CONCENTRATION (mg/dl)

0.7 0.6

NORNA L; TREA TED WITH A LMOND MISTLETOE

0.5 0.4

NORMA L; TREA TED WITH DISTILLED WA TER

0.3 0.2

NORMA L A ND TREA TED WITH SCOPA RIA

0.1 0 0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

DAYS

FIG 1: Effect of Scoparia dulcis extract, almond mistletoe extract and cocoa mistletoe extract on plasma urea concentration in diabetic rats.

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180.0 INDUCED; TREA TED WITH COCOA MISTLETOE

CONCENTRATIO N(m g/dl)

160.0 140.0

INDUCED; TREA TED WITH A LMOND MISTLETOE

120.0 100.0 80.0

INDUCED; TREA TED WITH DISTILLED WA TER

60.0 40.0

DIA BETIC A ND TREA TED WITH SCOPA RIA

20.0 0.0 0

2

4

6

8

10

DAYS

FIG 2: Effect of Scoparia dulcis extract, almond mistletoe extract and cocoa mistletoe extract on plasma urea concentration in normal rats.

CONCENTRATION(mg/dl)

3.0 INDUCED; TREA TED WITH COCOA MISTLETOE

2.5 2.0


1.5


1.0 0.5


0.0 0

2

4

6

8

10

DAY S

FIG 3: Effect of Scoparia dulcis extract, almond mistletoe extract and cocoa mistletoe extract on plasma creatinine concentration in diabetic rats. 0.8

NORMA L; TREA TED WITH COCOA MISTLETOE

CONCENTRATION (mg/dl)

0.7 0.6

NORNA L; TREA TED WITH A LMOND MISTLETOE

0.5 0.4 0.3

NORMA L; NOT TREA TED

0.2 0.1 0 0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7


DAYS

197


FIG 4: Effect of Scoparia dulcis extract, almond mistletoe extract and cocoa mistletoe extract on plasma creatinine concentration in normal rats. 60.0 INDUCED; TREA TED WITH COCOA MISTLETOE

CONCENTRATION (U/L)

50.0


40.0

30.0 INDUCED; TREA TED WITH DISTILLED WA TER

20.0


10.0

0.0 0

2

4

6

8

10

DAYS

FIG 5: Effect of Scoparia dulcis extract, almond mistletoe extract and cocoa mistletoe extract on plasma AST concentration in diabetic rats. 50 45

N OR MAL ; TR EATED WITH C OC OA MISTL ETOE

CONCENTRATION(U/L)

40 35

N OR MAL ; TR EATED WITH ALMON D MISTL ETOE

30 25 20

N OR MAL ; TR EATED WITH D ISTIL LED WATER

15 10

N OR MAL AND TR EATED WITH SC OPAR IA

5 0 0

2

4

6

8

DAYS

FIG 6: Effect of Scoparia dulcis extract, almond mistletoe extract and cocoa mistletoe extract on plasma AST concentration in normal rats.

198


30.0

IN D U C ED ; TR EATED WITH C OC OA MISTLETOE

CONCENTRATION (U/L)

25.0

IN D U C ED ; TR EATED WITH ALMON D MISTLETOE

20.0

15.0

IN D U C ED ; TR EATED WITH D ISTILLED WATER

10.0

5.0

D IABETIC AN D TR EATED WITH SC OPAR IA

0.0 0

2

4

6

8

10

DAYS

FIG 7: Effect of Scoparia dulcis extract, almond mistletoe extract and cocoa mistletoe extract on plasma ALT concentration in diabetic rats. 35 NORMA L; TREA TED WITH COCOA MISTLETOE

CONCENTRATION(U/L)

30

25

NORMA L; TREA TED WITH A LMOND MISTLETOE

20

15


10

5


0 0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

DAYS

FIG 8: Effect of Scoparia dulcis extract, almond mistletoe extract and cocoa mistletoe extract on plasma ALT concentration in normal rats. 60.0 INDUCED; TREA TED WITH COCOA MISTLETOE

CONCENTRATION(U/L)

50.0

30.0


20.0


40.0


10.0 0.0 0

2

4

6

8

10

DAYS

FIG 9: Effect of Scoparia dulcis extract, almond mistletoe extract and cocoa mistletoe extract on plasma ALP concentration in diabetic rats.

199


45 NORMA L; TREA TED WITH COCOA MISTLETOE

40

CONCENTRATION(U/L)

35


30 25 20


15 10


5 0 0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

DAYS

FIG 10: Effect of Scoparia dulcis extract, almond mistletoe extract and cocoa mistletoe extract on plasma ALP concentration in normal rats. 80 NORMA L; TREA TED WITH COCOA MISTLETOE


70 60


50 40


30 20


10 0 0

2

4

6

8

DAYS

FIG 11: Effect of Scoparia dulcis extract, almond mistletoe extract and cocoa mistletoe extract on plasma total bilirubin concentration in diabetic rats. 2.5 INDUCED; TREA TED WITH COCOA MISTLETOE


2.0


1.5


1.0


0.5

0.0 0

2

4

6

8

10

DAYS

FIG 12: Effect of Scoparia dulcis extract, almond mistletoe extract and cocoa mistletoe extract on plasma total bilirubin concentration in normal rats.

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Scoparia dulcis was effective in lowering urea level in diabetic rats and in normal rats. Cocoa and Almond mistletoe extracts were effective in lowering urea levels in diabetic rats only. All extracts normalized creatinine levels from their elevated values on induction of diabetes. Almond mistletoe was more effective at lowering creatinine in normal rats than Scoparia dulcis and cocoa mistletoe. Scoparia dulcis extract did not affect AST activity in diabetic and normal rats, hence the extract may not be toxic to the liver or heart muscle at the dose it was administered. Cocoa mistletoe gradually raised AST activity in diabetic rats while Almond mistletoe did likewise in normal rats. None of the extracts affected the activity of ALT in diabetic and normal rats. Therefore the extracts may not be toxic to the liver. All extracts lowered ALP in diabetic and normal rats but the reduction was only significant in diabetic rats. Cocoa mistletoe significantly lowered ALP from day two, Scoparia dulcis from day four and Almond mistletoe at day six. Scoparia dulcis significantly lowered plasma bilirubin from day two. It was more effective in lowering bilirubin in normal rats than diabetic rats. Cocoa and Almond mistletoe was not as effective as Scoparia dulcis in lowering total bilirubin in diabetic rats and normal rats. DISCUSSION Alloxan induced hyperglycaemic rats were used as a model in studying the effect of Scoparia dulcis and Loranthus begwensis extracts on some biochemical parameters in the diabetic, as well as the normal animals (rats). Our earlier studies indicated that induction of rats with alloxan significantly increased the plasma glucose level (Aghagboren et al, 2014). Dunn et al (1943) were the first to confirm the diabetogenic property of alloxan. They studied the effect of its administration in rabbits and reported a specific necrosis of the pancreatic islets. Our earlier studies (Aghagboren et al, 2014) also showed that treatment with Scoparia dulcis and Loranthus begwensis extracts resulted in significant (p