Effects of Pueraria montana and Coffea arabica Aqueous Leaf-Extract on Hepatic and Oxidative Parameters in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of aqueous leaf extracts of Pueraria montana and Coffea arabica on hepatic function and oxidative parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. The animals were divided into six groups. Group 1 (negative control), group 2 (positive control), group 3 (Co mepiryl), group 4 (Pueraria montana), group 5 (Coffea arabica) and group 6 (combined extracts of Pueraria montana and Coffea arabica) after diabetes induction. Diabetes was induced by a single intra-peritoneal injection of 150 mg/kg of Alloxan. The phytochemical screening was done using spectrophotometric method and the results revealed that both plant extracts contained flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides and alkaloids. The extracts significantly decreased the glucose levels of the experimental animals indicating the potential of the extracts in ameliorating the diabetogenic effects of alloxan. The results also showed that the diabetic rats exhibited significant elevation in liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP), indicating liver damage and reduced levels of antioxidant parameters (GSH, CAT, SOD). Treatment with the aqueous extracts of Pueraria montana and Coffea arabica significantly improved liver function by lowering AST, ALT, ALP, and bilirubin levels. The extracts also enhanced antioxidant defence by increasing GSH, CAT, and SOD activities while reducing MDA levels, indicating a reduction in oxidative stress. These findings suggest that Pueraria montana and Coffea arabica extracts exert hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects, however, the combined extract exerted greater efficacy in lowering glucose and hepatic parameters and elevating oxidative stress markers, indicating a synergistic interaction that could offer greater therapeutic benefits in managing diabetes induced oxidative and hepatic stress.