The effect of ethanol extract of Nigerian ficus glumosa leaf on liver function in Diabetic rats

Background: In Africa many plants and plant products are used traditionally for the managements of diabetes mellitus or its complication. But, science based evidence on some of this product safety need to be establish. Objective: We determine the effect of the Ethanol leaves extract of Ficus glumosa on fasting blood glucose level and liver enzymes of diabetes (DM) treated rats. Methods: Thirty (30) adult rats weighing (190 – 220) grams of about 8 to 10 weeks of age were used for this study in a standard laboratory setting. The animals were randomly divided into six groups (n= 5 rats /group) and diabetes was induced using single dose of alloxan 150 mg/kg intraperitoneal (ip). Group 6 served as the control group receiving distilled water (5ml/kg) alone via intra-peritoneal route (ip), Group 1 (DM+Distil water), 2, 3, 4 and 5 were given treatments for 7 days. Distilled water 5ml/kg, 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg of Ficus glumosa ethanol leaves extracts respectively via intraperitoneal ip while, Group 5 (DM+Insulin) received insulin 6.0 iu/kg. Before and after treatments Fasting blood sugar levels were measured. Rats were sacrifice for the Serum liver enzymes and liver tissue for histological study after the treatments. Results: The 100mg/kg and 400mg/kg of Ethanol leave extract of Ficus glumosa significantly lowered fasting blood glucose level and 400mg/kg show elevation in liver enzymes and reveal altered hepatocyte architecture (interphase hepatitis) compared with the control group 6 and lower dosage treatment group (2 and 3). Conclusion: The results of these study reveal that Ficus glumosa possesses hypoglycemic effect and at higher dose of 400mg/kg/day have effect on liver enzymes in diabetes rat.