title: Positive moderation of the hematology, plasma biochemistry and ocular indices of oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, by an aqueous extract of the leaves of Sansevieria liberica Gerome and Labroy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the ability of an aqueous extract of the leaves of Sansevieria liberica (S. liberica) to alter the hematology, plasma biochemistry and ocular indices of oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diabetes mellitus was induced by injection of alloxan (80 mg/kg body weight), via the tail vein. The extract was administered orally at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight (both to normal and diabetic rats), and metformin at 50 mg/kg body weight.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to test control, the treatment dose dependently, significantly lowered (P<0.05) ocular malondialdehyde content, atherogenic indices, red cell, total white cell and lymphocyte counts, mean cell hemoglobin concentration; and plasma levels of glucose, triglyceride, total-, very low density lipoprotein-, low density lipoprotein- and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterols, total, conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin, sodium, urea, blood urea nitrogen, as well as plasma activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate transaminases. However, the treatment significantly increased (P<0.05) hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, mean cell hemoglobin, and mean cell volume, neutrophil and monocyte counts, and plasma levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, potassium, chloride, calcium, bicarbonate and total protein, ocular ascorbic acid content and ocular activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase. This study showed the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, immune-modulating, ocular-, hepato-renal and cardio-protective potentials of the extract.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All these, support the use of the leaves of S. liberica in African traditional health care practices for the management of diabetes mellitus.
authors: University of Port Harcourt - Biochemistry, East/West Road, Choba Port Harcourt Rivers State 234, Nigeria. ecoli240733@yahoo.com
authors: Ikewuchi Jude
authors: IJ
authors: Chigozie
authors: Ikewuchi Catherine
authors: IC
authors: Chidinma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D005123:Eye / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D031444:Sansevieria / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004573:Electrolytes; D008055:Lipids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D001205:Ascorbic Acid