title: Cytological and biochemical studies during the progression of alloxan-induced diabetes and possible protection of an aqueous leaf extract of Costus afer.
abstract: Some plants have proven efficacy in the management of diabetes mellitus, of which Costus afer is one. This study was designed to evaluate the cytological and biochemical properties, and comparative ameliorating effects, of an aqueous extract of Costus afer Ker Gawl. (Costaceae) leaf and glibenclamide (GBM), in liver, kidney, and pancreatic injury induced by alloxan. Thirty male albino rats were divided into six weight-matched groups. Group one served as the negative control (non-induced and non-treated, control), while groups 2-6 were alloxan-induced diabetic groups. Group 2 served as a positive control (induced and non-treated, IC), groups 3-5 were treated with different doses of the extract (375, 750, and 1,125 mg/kg body weight) and glibenclamide, respectively. Body weight, absolute and relative organ weights, food and fluid intake, levels of serum glucose and liver enzymes and kidney parameters were calculated and compared. Hepatocytes, renal tubules, and pancreatic cells of diabetic rats, in diabetic non-treated and treated rats were harvested and examined histopathologically. There was dose dependent amelioration on the injuries induced by alloxan on both hepatocytes, renal tubules, and pancreatic cells after treatment with Costus afer. The glucose level was reduced significantly in the Costus afer treated diabetic rats compared with the non-treated diabetic group. Costus afer leaves seem to be effective against diabetic cell injury induced in rat liver, kidney, and pancreas.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Anthoneth Ndidi
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Ezejiofor
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chinna Nneka
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Orish
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Electronic address: orishebere@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Orish Ebere
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Orisakwe
mesh_terms: D000496:Alloxan / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D029770:Costus / Q000737:chemistry*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000496:Alloxan
keywords: Alloxan; Biochemistry; Costus afer; Diabetes; Glibenclamide; Kidney; Liver; Pancreatic; Pathology