Modulations of Some Carbohydrate Metabolic Enzymes by Aqueous and Ethanol Buchholzia coriacea Seed Extract in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Characterised by abnormal increase in blood glucose level, Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is associated with complications in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. In recent times, medicinal herbs have been implicated in traditional medical practice for the treatment of this ailment. Studies have shown that Buchholzia coriacea seed possesses some anti-hyperglycemic properties that may be useful in the management of diabetes. To this point, present study investigated the effect(s) of oral administration of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Buchholzia coriacea on some carbohydrate metabolism parameters in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Forty (40) adult rats of both sexes were randomly assigned into two groups (normoglycemic and hyperglycemic). While group 1 (normoglycemic) had normal control, metformin, aqueous extract (250mg/kg) and ethanol extract (250 mg/kg) treated sub-groups respectively, Group 2 (hyperglycemic) contained the diabetic control, metformin, aqueous extract (250 mg/kg), and ethanol extracted (250mg/kg) treated sub-groups dosed daily by oral gavage for 14 days. At the end of the treatment, rats were euthanized via cervical dislocation; blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for statistical analysis. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that dosing with extracts had insignificant effect(s) on body weight of rats. Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) levels were elevated before and after extracts administration. Metformin, aqueous and ethanol extracts significantly reduced (p<0.05) FBG levels. Also, compared with control, total carbohydrate, liver glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, Lactate Dehydrogenase, Isocitrate dehydrogenase, MDH, SDH, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, G6PD and CcO activities were significantly reduced (p<0.05) in diabetic treated rats. Buccholzia Coriacea was therefore seen to pose hypoglycemic and glycolytic effects, regulating activities of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes. Apparently, there is a scientific merit in the use of the extract in the management of diabetes.