3.7. Effect of administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius on liver lipid profile of alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The effect of oral administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius on the levels of total TC, TG, HDL, LDL-C, and VLDL-C in the serum and liver of diabetic rats are shown in Figures 6 and 7. In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, TC, TG, LDL, and VLDL levels were increased and HDL level was decreased significantly (p < 0.05) when compared with normal control rats. In diabetic rats group, administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius at 800 mg/kg body weight dose particularly, showed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in elevated TC, TG, LDL and VLDL levels while at doses 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract no significant (p > 0.05) difference was observed when compared to diabetic rats group. Also, a

Figure 5. Effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorus on kidney function indices of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Values are given as mean SD from six rats in each group. Bars not sharing a common superscript differ significantly at p < 0.05.

increased significantly (P < 0.05) in diabetic untreated group compared to the control but was

Figure 4. Effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorus on serum and liver protein of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Values are given as mean SD from six rats in each group. Bars not sharing a common superscript differ significantly at

The diabetic untreated rats group had decreased levels of serum and liver total protein, albumin and globulin when compared with normal control rats. After treatment for 14 days, liver and serum total protein, albumin and globulin levels were restored to normalcy especially in the groups treated with 800 mg/kg body weight of the extract and reference drug (gliblenclamide).

The influence of administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius on kidney function indices is shown in Figure 5. In this study, urea and creatinine levels showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in diabetic rats group when compared with the control but showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference at all doses of treatment when compared with the control.

3.7. Effect of administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius on liver lipid

The effect of oral administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius on the levels of total TC, TG, HDL, LDL-C, and VLDL-C in the serum and liver of diabetic rats are shown in Figures 6 and 7. In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, TC, TG, LDL, and VLDL levels were increased and HDL level was decreased significantly (p < 0.05) when compared with normal control rats. In diabetic rats group, administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius at 800 mg/kg body weight dose particularly, showed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in elevated TC, TG, LDL and VLDL levels while at doses 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract no significant (p > 0.05) difference was observed when compared to diabetic rats group. Also, a

reduced upon administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius for 14 days.

3.6. Effect ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius on kidney function indices of

alloxan-induced diabetic rats

p < 0.05.

64 Diabetes Food Plan

profile of alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Figure 6. Effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorus on lipid profile of alloxan-induced diabetic rats.Values are given as mean SD from six rats in each group. Bars not sharing a common superscript differ significantly at p < 0.05 (Duncan's multiple range test).

Single dose intra-peritoneal (i.p) treatment of rats with alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg) caused an increase in the blood glucose. Ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius and glibenclamide were found to reduce the elevated glucose level significantly in alloxan induced diabetes animals during the 14 days treatment. This suggests the hypoglycaemic effect of the plant. As suggested by Ekpenyong et al [23] that normal protein level reflects normal synthesis

Antidiabetic and Safety Properties of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of *Corchorus olitorius*…

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.71529

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The concentration of total protein globulin, albumin and bilirubin may indicate the state of the liver and type of damage. Protein molecules that are regularly employed to assess the state of health of the liver are albumins and globulins (Total Proteins). The blood circulated albumin is the main carrier protein produced in the liver. The larger globulins are responsible for immunogenic activities [24]. Decreased serum albumin and globulin concentrations in the untreated diabetic rats suggests reduced synthetic function of the hepatic cells. Oral administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius, however, normalized the serum albumin and globulin concentration. This is a further proof of the protective potential of ethanolic leaf

Bilirubin is a useful index of the excretory function of the liver. It is an important breakdown product of blood with biological and diagnostic values [25] Elevated bilirubin is an indication of liver cell impairment. The gradual increase in the serum levels of unconjugated (total and conjugated) bilirubin in diabetic rats when compared with the normal control may be an indication that the rats had liver function impairment, resulting in diminished ability of hepatocytes to conjugate bilirubin. The insignificant decrease in total and conjugated bilirubin of both the serum and liver in all the treated animals suggest the ability of the plant extract to

Liver enzymes e.g. alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine phosphatise level (ALP) were increased in diabetic rats which is responsible for the liver damage. The elevated serum level of these enzymes was significantly reduced by ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius treatment particularly at the dose of 800 mg/kg bw, suggesting the protective effect of the plant extract against diabetes- induced hepatocellular damage especially at high dose. The diabetic complications such as increased gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis may be due to elevated enzymes [26]. The restoration of transaminases to their

The kidney removes metabolic wastes such as urea and creatinine, the concentration of which are usually required to assess the normal functioning of different parts of the nephrons [27]. The serum creatinine and urea concentrations are widely interpreted as measures of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and are used as indices of renal function in clinical practice. The concentration of these metabolites increase in blood during renal damage associated with uncontrollable diabetes mellitus. On the contrary those treated with ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius effected decrease in creatinine and urea levels, indicating ameliorative effect of the plant extract on kidney functions in diabetic rats. This may suggest that the damage caused on renal function indices by the disease had been restored by the plant extract, thus the

while high level is common in high protein diet.

extract of Corchorus olitorius on the liver of diabetic rats.

ameliorate liver impairment caused by diabetes induction.

normal levels also treatment also indicates revival of insulin secretion.

proper function of the nephrons at the tubular and glomerular level.

Figure 7. Effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorus on liver and serum LDL-C and VLDL-C.Values are given as mean SD from six rats in each group. Values not sharing a common superscript differ significantly at p < 0.05 (Duncan's Multiple Range Test).

significantly (p < 0.05) increased level of HDL was observed in diabetic rats treated with the plant extract at doses 400 mg/kg body weight and 800 mg/kg body weight and glibenclamide compared to diabetic control rats.
