Effect of Aqueous Extract of Persea americana Seed on Blood Glucose in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Abstract

Alternatively known as grape sugar, Glucose, a monosaccharide (C6H12O6) is often found in honey and the juices of many fruits. It is the sugar most often produced by hydrolysis of complex compounds from plants (natural glycosides) and forms a major constituent of the blood of animals. One of the major implications of increased blood glucose is Diabetes Mellitus. In spite of its life-threatening complications, the issue of cost, and appropriate dosage administration (with synthetic drugs) remain an issue. This study was undertaken to determine the hypoglycemic (glucose lowering) activity of Persea americana seed extract in the blood of alloxan-induced, diabetic (hyperglycemic) wistar rats. To achieve this, Thirty-Five (35) Wistar rats (140 – 200 g) were assigned into seven groups of 5 rats each with group A serving as normal control. While Groups B through E were respectively treated with 250 mg/kg and 500mg/kg of Persea seed extract (Non-diabetic rats), Alloxan (diabetic control), and Alloxan (diabetic, then treated with 50 mg/kg of metformin), Groups F and G were diabetic rats which respectively received 250 mg/kg and 500mg/kg of Persea seed extract. After 28 days of administration, rats were sacrificed with blood samples collected for analysis of glucose levels. Pancreatic tissues were also harvested for histopathological extermination. Results show an increase in body weight (20.39 – 26.32%) of diabetic treated rats (group E) as compared to diabetic control (Group D). Though blood glucose levels for group E reduced significantly (at p<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner as compared to elevated levels in diabetic control, no significant changes were observed in normal treated rats (group D) as against normal control (Group A). Histopathology of the pancreas revealed a degeneration in the islet cells of diabetic untreated groups F and G compared to non-diabetic group A.