Antidiabetes, antidyslipidemia, hemoprotective, nehproprotective and hepatoprotective effect of ethanol extract of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf against alloxan induced diabetes in rats

Management/ treatment of illness and maintenance of well-being using herbal medicines is the oldest and most popular form of healthcare practice known to humankind that has been practiced by all cultures in all ages throughout the history of evolution. The ethanol extract of Jatropha tanjorensis leave was evaluated for it pharmacological potency in alloxan-induced diabetes in albino rats.

Twenty-four adult male albino rats weighing 120-180g were randomly divided into six groups of four rats per group. Group I (Normal control) were given 0.2 mL of water. Group II (Negative control): were untreated diabetic rats. Group III were Diabetic rats treated with reference drug (glibenclamide at 5 mg/kg b.wt) which served as positive control. Group IV – VI were Diabetic rats treated with Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.wt, 400 mg/kg b.wt, and 600 mg/kg b.wt, respectively. Administrations were done orally for 14 days. Blood was collected from the tail of the rats to determine the blood glucose level on the 4th, 9th and 14th day of the study.

The extract significantly reduced the blood glucose level. The Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract showed dose dependent significant (P<0.05) decrease in the triacylglycerol (TAG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), Cholesterol, total white blood cell (TWBC), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin, urea, creatinine level as well as significant (P<0.05) increase in hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and albumin level when compared with diabetic untreated group (negative control). Diabetic-related alteration in rat serum biochemical indices were significantly improved by the extract.

 The outcome of the research gave credence to the folk use Jatropha tanjorensis leaf in the treatment of diabetes and its health related dysfunctions