Anti-hyperglycaemic and selected organ protective effects of Ziziphus spina-christi hydroethanol leaf extract in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Ziziphus spina-christi has been traditionally used for the treatment of stomach pain, wounds, and hair loss, skin infections, diarrhoea, scorpion stings, and malaria. This study aims to investigate the anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-dyslipidaemic, liver and kidney protective effects of Ziziphus spina-christi ethanol leaf extract on diabetic rats. The experimental design comprises of five groups of albinos Wistar rats, with three rats per group. They are normal control group, normal and 150mg/kg bwt treatment with extract group, diabetic control group, diabetic and treatment with the 150mg/kg bwt extract group, and diabetic treated with Metformin as standard drug treated for 14 days. The results of the study indicated that there was a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the blood glucose level in the extract and reference drug administered groups as compared to the diabetic control. The levels of the serum alanine transaminase, serum aspartate transaminase and serum alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the extract and standard drug treatment groups compared to the diabetic control group. In the diabetic control group, the creatinine and urea concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) higher compared with the extract and metformin treated groups. Also, the high-density lipoprotein and triacylglycerol levels were lower in the extract treated groups demonstrating a good lipid profile. In conclusion, Ziziphus spina-christi exhibits anti-hyperglycaemia, anti-dyslipidaemia and liver and kidney protective activities in diabetic model, and thus supporting its traditional usage in diabetes management.