Effect of Extracts of Kigelia Africana Fruit and Sorghum Bicolor Stalk on the Biochemical Parameters of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Obianagha Nkem F. , Okafor Chukwuma J. , Chukwuani Ufuoma , Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi , Ogundahunsi Omobolanle Abioye , Ogbonnia Steve O. , Yusuf Said Ali , Galano Emilio Stivens 
Published: April 2021

Diabetes and its complication continue to remain a concern in the world population despite the introduction of various hypoglycemic agents. Biochemical changes remain the major observable, clinical, and pathological factors as a derangement in the levels of these parameters increase the risk of developing complications. Although herbal extracts for the treatment of diabetes have been scientifically validated, the scientific interaction and alteration of the biochemical parameters due to the administration of this herbal product are not thoroughly investigated in this region. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of the extract of Kigeliaafricana and Sorghum bicolor stalk on the biochemical parameters of diabetic-induced rats. A total of eleven groups containing five rats per group of randomly selected Alloxan-induced Diabetes Healthy Wistar rats of both sexes were used in the study, with one serving as the control group, another serving as glibenclamide treated group, and the remaining nine, extract treated groups. After the overnight fast, the control group received a dose of 0.5 ml of 2% w/v acacia solution. Glibenclamide treated group received 600 μg/kg body weight (bwt) glibenclamide. In contrast, the other nine groups received specified doses (125, 250, and 500mg/kg bwt) of Kigeliaafricana and Sorghum bicolor extracts singly and in a mixture of ratio 1:1, respectively. After receiving the specified doses once a day orally for 30 days, the rats fasted overnight, and 5 ml of blood collected via cardiac puncture into heparinized and fluoride bottles. The samples were spun and separated for biochemical profiles (plasma glucose, lipid profile, liver function test, and electrolytes urea and creatinine) using a commercially prepared kit with outlined procedures. The result showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of plasma glucose level in the extract-treated rats, with a remarkable increase in untreated diabetic rats compared to the control. A significant reduction (p < 0.01) in the plasma levels of triglyceride and LDL-Chol was also observed in all treated groups at various doses of extracts compared to control with HDL-Chol values marginally increased in all extract-treated groups. Urea and creatinine showed a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in all treated doses except the lowest when compared to the control, while all the electrolytes parameters (Na+, K+, Cl- and HCO3-) show no significant difference (p > 0.05) across the groups when compared to the control. Liver function showed no significant differences in all parametersexcept for the noticeable decreasing effects on AST and ALT values compared to the control. The extracts and their mixture exhibited antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic activities and cardiovascular benefits due to their considerable lowering effects on total cholesterol, LDL-Chol, triglycerides, and increase in the HDL-Chol levels. The observed biological actions may be due to the presence of different phytocomponents present in the plant extracts. There is, therefore, a need to determine which of the active constituents has the main antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic effect for their optimal usage.