Serum Levels of Some Inflammatory Markers in Alloxan- Induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Aqueous Leaf Extract of Terminalia catappa and Exogenous Insulin

Background: Inflammation is said to be associated with hyperglycaemia and is implicated in the complications of diabetes.

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the level of some inflammatory markers in blood of diabetic rats administered with aqueous leaf extract of Terminalia catappa and exogenous insulin.

Materials and Methods: Thirty five (35) Wistar rats were assigned to 5 groups of 7 animals each. Group 1 served as the control and received 5ml/kg body weight of distilled water and group 2 received orally, 130/kg body weight of aqueous leaf extract of Terminalia catappa. Groups 3 (diabetic only), 4 (diabetic + extract) and 5 (diabetic + insulin) were administered 150 mg/kg body weight of alloxan solution intraperitoneally to induce diabetes and blood glucose levels ≥200 mg/dl after 72 hours were considered diabetic. Then 5 ml/kg bodyweight of distilled water, 130 mg/kg body weight of Terminalia catappa leaf extract was given orally and 0.75U/kg body weight of insulin was administered subcutaneously to respective groups and the experiment lasted for 14 days.

Results: The results showed significant (P< 0.05) increase in serum levels of C-reactive protein, Interleukin-6 and blood fibrinogen in diabetic group compared to control. These inflammatory biomarkers significantly (P<0.05) reduced in diabetic group treated with extract and insulin.

Conclusion: Therefore aqueous leaf extract of Terminalia catappa can reduce some inflammatory cytokines and ameliorate inflammation in diabetes similar to exogenous insulin.