title: Histopathological and biochemical assessments of Costus afer stem on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In continuation of our study of the biological activity of the aqueous extract of Costus afer stem used in tradomedicare in Nigeria, this work has investigated the biochemical, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective and protective effects of aqueous extract of C. afer stem on alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic albino Wistar rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty male albino Wistar rats (150-200 g) were weight-matched into six groups of five rats each. Groups 1 and 2 were the normal (non-induced) and toxic (alloxan-induced) controls, respectively. Groups 3-6 were induced and treated with 1, 2 and 3 g/kg of the aqueous extract of C. afer stem and glibenclamide (5 mg/kg), respectively. Food and fluid intake, body weight, absolute and relative weight of organs (liver, pancreas, and kidneys) and biochemical parameters were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant reduction in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin triglyceride, creatinine, urea and electrolyte when compared with toxic control group. The liver marker enzymes were restored in all the treated groups. The aqueous stem extract possessed hypoglycaemic effect and reversed the histopathological damage in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that aqueous stem extract of C. afer possesses both hypoglycaemic and organ protective properties.
authors.affiliation: .
authors.forename: Anthoneth Ndidi
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Ezejiofor
authors.affiliation: .
authors.forename: Zelinjo Nkeiruka
authors.initials: ZN
authors.lastname: Igweze
authors.affiliation: .
authors.forename: Nnaemeka Arinze
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Udowelle
authors.affiliation: .
authors.forename: Orish Ebere
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Orisakwe
mesh_terms: D000496:Alloxan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D029770:Costus / Q000737:chemistry*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005905:Glyburide / Q000494:pharmacology; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000496:Alloxan; D005905:Glyburide
keywords: Costus afer; biomarkers; cytoprotective; glibenclamide; hyperglycaemia