The Effect of Aqueous Extract of Buchholzia coriacea Seeds on Some Biochemical Parameters in Normal and Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Aims: To investigate the effect of oral administration of Buchholzia coriacea aqueous seed extract on blood glucose and other biochemical parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic rats and in normal rats.

Study Design: Twenty adult male rats were used, rats were divided into four groups of five rats each (Groups A, B, C and D) in which group A (Diabetic control) and group B (Diabetic treated) were induced with diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate at a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight while group C (Normal control) and D (Normal treated) were normal groups in which diabetes was not induced. The extract was administered orally to groups B and D at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight for 7 days after the confirmation of the effect of alloxan in the induced groups. The Buchholzia coriacea aqueous seed extract was screened for phytochemicals. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed by decapitation, blood was collected and used for the biochemical analysis.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, College of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria. Between August and December 2014

Results: The administration of Buchholzia coriacea seed extract caused significant (p = 0.05) reduction in the levels of glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride, increased protein levels in both treated and normal groups, but had no significant ameliorative nor adverse effect on liver and kidney parameters (liver enzymes, urea, creatinine and electrolytes levels) of both normal and diabetic rats administered the extract.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the aqueous extract of Buchholzia coriacea seed possess hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties and may therefore be beneficial in the management of diabetes mellitus at the above dosage and treatment period with no observed adverse effect on the liver and kidney.