Hypoglycemic properties and Effects on Serum Enzymes of Casuarina equisetifolia Leaf Extracts in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder which is currently recognized as a major contributor to global disease burden in both developed and developing nations. Phytochemical screening of Casuarina equisetifolia leaf was carried out using standard methods. 100 mg/kg bodyweight of alloxan monohydrate was administered intraperitoneally to rats in groups A-E, and rats with blood glucose above 120 mg/dl were considered diabetic. 150 mg/kg bodyweight of extracts were administered to rats in the respective groups for a period of 9 days, and 15 mg/kg standard drug (metformin) was administered to rats in the positive control group. Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) were assayed by standard laboratory techniques at the end of the treatment. Blood glucose of rats in the treated groups decreased significantly (p<0.05) in descending order during the period of treatments with the ethanol extract having the most significant reduction of 64.00 ± 3.46 mg/dl when compared to diabetic control (206.00 ± 4.45mg/dl). The most significant differences were observed for ALP (52.60 ± 2.80 IU/L), SGOT (33.18 ± 3.48 IU/L) in the aqueous extract and SGPT in the methanol extract when compared to the diabetic control group having 84.82 ± 4.69 IU/L, 41.80±3.20 IU/L and 20.05 ± 2.13 IU/L respectively. Tannins, flavonoid, phenol and reducing sugars were present in all the extracts. Alkaline phosohatase level was significantly high (p<0.05) in group treated with methanol extract. the extract though, have hypoglycaemic property, may be hepatotoxic, which will limit or perclude its use.