Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Telfairia Occidentalis on Glucose Level and Renal Function Parameters in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

One of the leading challenges to public health globally is diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition caused by irregular high level of glucose in the blood. However, therapeutic option mostly adopted is the use of natural plant derivatives. The potential protective effect of Telfairia occidentalis was evaluated in blood serum and kidney following Streptozotocin-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. Twenty-five male albino rats of Wistar strain were randomly allocated into five groups: Group A: Streptozotocin – induced diabetic rats (animals injected with 50mg/kg b. wt. of Streptozotocin intravenously), and treated with low dose of ethanolic leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis (200mg/kg b. wt.) for eight days, Group B: Streptozotocin – induced diabetic rats, and then treated with high dose of ethanolic leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis (400mg/kg b. wt.) for eight days, Group C: Streptozotocin – induced diabetic rats treated with Metformin (1.43mg/kg b. wt.) for eight days, Group D: Untreated Streptozotocin – induced diabetic rats, Group E: Control (animals received distilled water only for eight days). Blood glucose concentration was determined at every 48 hours for 8 days. Other biochemical parameters such as sodium and potassium concentration, total protein (TP) concentration, albumin concentration, creatinine and urea concentration were also determined. Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats showed significant (p<0.05) increase in blood glucose level. Treatment with ethanolic leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) dose dependent reduction in blood glucose levels with a steep descent seen at higher dose. Streptozotocin significantly increased (P<0.05) the serum level of sodium, potassium, creatinine and urea, while it decreased the serum total protein and albumin concentration. Treatment with ethanolic leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis significantly (p