Effects of Petroleum ether and n-Hexane Extracts of Globemetula braunii on glucose, Lipids and Some Biochemical Parameters of Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Globimetula braunii is a parasitic plant (mistletoe) used to treat diabetes and hypertension by Nupe speaking people of Niger Sate, Nigeria.Extracts of petroleum ether and n-hexane showedthe presence of steroids, terpenes,and phenols.Rats of both sexes, weighing (135-244)g were randomly allotted to five groups of four rats each. Rats in group one (control) were the normoglycaemic (administered 10 ml distilled water daily),while those in groups two, three, four, and five were rendered diabetic by the administration of 100mg/kg bodyweight of alloxan monohydrate. Group five rats were treated with 500mg/kg bodyweight of standard drug (metformin), groups three and four rats were respectively treated with 500mg/kg bodyweight of petroleum ether and n-hexane extracts for two weeks, while the group two rats were untreated(negative control). Blood glucose was checked after every two days using glucometer. Blood glucose concentration of rats in the extracts (n-hexane and petroleum ether)treated groups decreased significantly (217.16±4.33 – 84.33±2.33), with n-hexane extract having the highest (84.33±2.33).The animals were anaesthesized under chloroform at the end of the treatment andblood samples were collected by jugular puncture and used for the analysis of biochemical parameters. Serum cholesterol of the two extract treated groups reduced significantly((162.43±1.03)and (147.93±3.40) for petroleum ether and n-hexane groups respectively). There was a similar reduction inserum triglyceride levels of extract groups, with petroleum ether group having the highest (152.91±2.15) activity. Total protein decreased (5.57±0.03) in n-hexanetreated group while alkaline phosphatase increased in all the groups with the standard drug treated group having the highest (32.2±0.35) value. Activity of alanine aminotransferase in n-hexane treated group increased (47.7±12.4) while that of aspartate transaminases in groups increased with the petroleum ether group having the highest activity (84.7±2.96).Urea in all groups increased, except in the n hexane treated group. Creatinine levels decreased in petroleum ether and standard drug treated groups. Na+ levels reduce in all groups except the standard drug treated group, K+ levels increased in petroleum ether group, Cl values increased in all groups and HCO3 decreased in petroleum ether and standard drug treated groups.The extracts have hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic properties, but may be hepatotoxic.