Hypoglycemic, Hepatoprotective and Nephroprotective Effects of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Heinsia crinita (Rubiaceae) in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Albino Wistar Rats

Type 1 diabetes is associated with damage to the liver, kidney and pancreas of patients.The damage varies in proportion and susceptibility among diabetic patients of type 1 class.This study assessed the hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activities of whole methanolic leaf extract of Heinsia crinita (HC) in alloxan-induced diabetic albino Wistar rats.Twenty four (24) rats weighing 140-180g were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each.Group 1 served as normal control (NC), while Group 2 served as diabetic control (DC) and both received placebo treatment consisting of 0.2ml of 50% DMSO respectively.Group 3 was treated with standard insulin (5iu/kg b.w) and Group 4 was treated with 400mg/kg b.w of the methanol extract of Heinsia crinita (HC) twice daily via oral gastric intubation.After 14 days, the animals were sacrificed and serum was analyzed for glucose, oxidative stress biomarkers and electrolyte profile.The results showed that HC reduced serum glucose level by 15% within 14 days, while the DC showed no reduction.The results further showed significant (p<0.05)decrease in ALT, AST and ALP activity in groups 4 and 3, when compared with group 2 (DC) which gave high values of these enzymes.Group 4 showed high values of K + (10.93+0.10Mmol/l) and Cl -(353.23+0.34Mmol/l) but lower Na + (71.06+12.94Mmol/l) and urea (66.04+6.06Mmol/l)values when compared to DC with low values of K + (3.83+0.82Mmol/l) and Cl -(127.09+14.43Mmol/l) but high values of Na + (203.00+14.47Mmol/l) and urea (86.00+14.13Mmol/l) respectively.Electrolyte modulation by the plant extract was shown in this study to be better than insulin.These findings showed that Heinsia crinita may possess antidiabetic properties and beneficial in the management of Type 1 diabetes and its attendant liver and kidney complications.