The Protective Role of Sphenocentrum Jollyanum Leaf Extract on Beta Cells Morphology of Alloxan Treated Rabbits

Objective: To assess the protective effect of ethanol leaf extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum (SJ) (Menispermaceae) on beta cells against alloxan treated rabbits. Material & Methods: Rabbits of both sexes, divided into 6 groups (8 per group) received oral treatment as follows: groups A and B received Tween 80 (2 %) solution; group C received 10 mg/kg of glibenclamide; groups D, E and F received 50, 100 and 200 mg/ kg of SJ. A week later (day 0), basal glycaemia was determined (72.4±3.5) followed by alloxan challenge at 170 mg/kg intrave-nously with the exception of group A. Blood was collected at days 0, 3, 5, 10 and 15 and analyzed. Inflammatory activity was evaluated using C- reactive protein (CRP) as biomarker. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and glutathione (GSH) were used to assess oxidative activity. Results: At day 3, glycaemic increase of 157.2 ± 4.7, 153.2 ± 8.2 and 150.2 ± 9.5 (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) was observed in the group that received SJ. Decrease however occurred from day 5 which continued to the last day of the experiment. On the con-trary, progressive increase occurred in diabetic control. Tissue histology of the extract group showed no lesion. The CRP level which was slightly elevated in the extract group at day 3, decreased appreciably at day 15. Decrease in SOD and CAT activities which occurred at day 3 in SJ treated increased at day 15. Also, the elevated levels of hepatic GSH in extract treated demon-strated an enhanced biosynthesis of antioxidative enzymes. Conclusion: SJ leaf effectively protected the beta cells against oxidative damage