Effect of Gongronema latifolium Leaf Extract on some Liver Enzymes and Protein Levels in Diabetic and non Diabetic Rats

Abstract

The effect of leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium (GL) on some tissue enzymes and protein level of alloxan-induced diabetic rats was studied. Graded doses of the extract (200, 300 and 400 mg/kg b. w.) were administered to the diabetic and corresponding non-diabetic rats for 14 days. At the end of which total protein, aminotransferases (ALT and AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were assayed in the liver whole homogenate (LWH). Total liver protein concentration which was significantly increased (p 0.05) changed in all test groups after treatment, compared to the control. Whereas in the non diabetic counterparts, protein level decreased in all treatment groups relative to the non diabetic control. However, this decrease was only significant (p<0.05) in the group administered 200mg/kg b. w. The decrease was therefore independent of the dose of extract. There was observed general significant decrease (p<0.001) in AST, ALT, ALP and GGT activities of diabetic test groups when compared to the corresponding non-diabetic groups. Compared to the diabetic control there was significant decrease in AST, ALT, ALP and GGT activities (p<0.001 for AST; p<0.05 for ALT, ALP and GGT) of diabetic rats administered 300mg/kg b. w. However at a test dose of 400mg/kg body weight, ALP and GGT activities rather increased significantly (p<0.05 for ALP; p<0.001 for GGT) relative to diabetic control. Hence the water soluble fraction of ethanol extract of Gongronema latifolium leaf is not likely to cause liver pathology, and can provide alleviation and protection to the animal liver in chemical diabetes with a dose up to 300 mg/kg b. w.