Effect of ethanol leaf extract of Clerodendrum splendens (G. Don) (Verbenaceae) on some biochemical parameters of Alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats

The lack of significant breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes, a global threat has led to continuous search of herbs that contain bioactive constituents with hypoglycemic effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ethanol leaf extract of Clerodendrum splendens on some biochemical parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic wistar rats. The induction of Diabetes to albino wistar rats was done intraperitoneally using 120 mg/kg body weight of Alloxan monohydrate and the diabetic rats were randomly divided into five groups of four rats each comprising Group I (Diabetic rats), Group II (normal control), group III (200 mg/kg of ethanol extract), group IV (400 mg/kg of ethanol extract) and group V (5 mg/kg Glibenclamide - standard drug). All treatments were administered orally once daily for 21 days. At the end of the treatment period, the blood sera of the blood samples from rats across the groups were collected and biochemical assays were carried out on them to evaluate their individual concentration of ALP, AST, ALT, TG, HDL, TC and LDL. A significant reduction (p<0.05) in the serum TC, TG, LDL-C and increased HDL-C was recorded in alloxan-induced diabetic treated groups. The ethanol leaf extract of Clerodendrum splendens at 200 and 400 mg/kg showed improving activities of the tested biochemical parameters. However, the group treated with 400 mg/kg showed more significant reduction (p<0.01) in the values of ALP (40.25±0.75), AST (25.25±3.84), ALT (3.25±0.25) and LDL (14.25±0.85).The 200 mg/kg showed more significant reduction in TC (67.25±2.59) than 400 mg/kg with TC value of 96.25±1.49. There was no significant effect on the TG value with 200 and 400 mg/kg while a significant increase (p<0.01) in HDL was recorded in the group treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg for HDL with 200 mg/kg showing more significant increase. These findings revealed that Clerodendrum splendens has ameliorating activities on the lipid profile and liver function parameters of degenerating condition of diabetes mellitus associated secondary complications.