Acalypha wilkesiana Exhibits Antihyperglycemic Potentials and Ameliorates Damages to Pancreas and Spleen of Diabetic Rat Model

Abstract

Background: The present study investigated the antihyperglycemic and ameliorative effect of aqueous leaves extract of Acalypha wilkesiana on alloxan-induced diabetic male rats. The experimental rats were divided into six groups. Rats of the first group served as normal controls. Rats of the second group were negative control as they were induced with diabetes without treatment. The third group was treated with glibenclamide after induction of diabetes. The fourth, fifth and sixth groups were diabetic rats, treated with aqueous leaves extract of Acalypha wilkesiana at low dose (100mg/kg body weight), medium dose (200mg/kg body weight) and high dose (400mg/kg body weight) respectively. The blood glucose levels of the animals in each group were checked on day 5, 10 and 15 to examine the antihyperglycemic effect of the aqueous leaves extract of Acalypha wilkesiana. Also, on day 5, 10 and 15, the pancreas and spleen of experimental animals from each group were harvested for histological examination. Result: The result obtained showed that the graded doses of the extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced the blood glucose levels of the diabetic animals in a dose-dependent manner. Also, the histological examination of the pancreas and spleen of the experimental animals treated with aqueous leaves extract of Acalypha wilkesiana showed normal pancreatic islet (PI) filled with islet cells (Granular appearance) and pancreatic acini (PA), while normal spleen with white pulp containing periarteriolar lymphatic sheath (PALS) and central arteriole (CA), splenic cord (SC) and sinusoids (SS) were seen in the same animals treated with the extract. The effect of the extract was similar in action to the standard drug glibenclamide. Conclusion: The aqueous leaves extract of Acalypha wilkesiana possesses antihyperglycemic potentials and ameliorates the pancreas and spleen of diabetic albino rats.