ABSTRACT

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of aqueous and methanol extracts of II Moringa oleifera leaves on Na+/K+ ATPase and some markers of diabetes such as serum electrolytes, glycosylated haemoglobin in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in albino male rats. A pilot study was carried out to ascertain that streptozotocin at 65mg/kg caused diabetes in the experimental animals. Quantitative phytochemical analysis was carried out on the aqueous and methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves using acceptable chemical methods. Acute toxicity test was carried out on the plant extracts and was found to be non-toxic at 5000mg/kg. Membrane stabilization of the extracts was also carried out to determine that the extracts were able to stabilize erythrocyte membrane. Thirty-five (35), albino male rats weighing 120g - 180g were arranged into seven (7) groups, comprising five (5) rats per group. Group I, VI and VII were the control groups while groups II, III, IV and V were the treatment groups. The study lasted for 28 days. After 4 weeks of treatment, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbAlc), serum electrolytes, sodium/potassium ATPase (Na+/K+ATPase) and glucose level were assayed. It was observed that aqueous and methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves at a dose of 500mg/kg andlOOOmg/kg restored blood glucose level and glycosylated haemoglobin level of diabetic albino male rats. There was also a statistically significant (p<0.05) increase in the Na+/K+ ATPase of diabetic group VII when compared to group II and the other extract groups (III, IV and V) while there was a non- significant (p<0.05) difference when the extract groups were compared to each other. The serum chloride of group VII showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in chloride ions when compared to group II and the other extract groups (III, IV and V). The serum potassium ion of group VII showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) increase in potassium ion when compared to group II and the other extract groups (III, IV and V). The serum bicarbonate ion of group VII only showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in bicarbonate ion when compared to group II and the other extract groups (III, IV and V). The serum sodium ion of group VII also showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in serum chloride ions when compared to group II and the other extract groups (III, IV and V). Thus, in conclusion, this study established that the increase in Na+/K+ ATPase activity in streptozotocin - induced type 2 diabetes in albino male rats can be reduced to its normal level by oral administration of 500mg/kg and lOOOmg/kg of aqueous and methanol extracts of M. oleifera leaves. The histopathological study ofthe pancreas of diabetic male albino rats treated with aqueous and methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves, groups (IV, V, VI and VII) showed dose dependent restoration of pancreatic histology near to normal morphology, which is a sign of regeneration along with beta cells (P-cells) repairs. While, the diabetic non-treated group (III) showed atrophic pancreatic islets with few cells, displaying degenerative, necrotic changes and poor pancreatic acini indicating pancreatic damage by diabetes mellitus.