HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF Hibiscus sabdariffa IN ALLOXANIZED MICE

Agbai E.O¹. and Nwanegwo C.O².

¹Department of Human Physiology, Madonna University Elele, Rivers State Nigeria.

²Department of Human Physiology, Imo State University, Owerri Nigeria.

E-mail: madonna3k5@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the methanolic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on total protein, albumin, globulin, bilirubin and serum alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Twenty (20) male mice were used in this study. The mice were fasted for 12 hours and fasting glucose level and body weight were recorded (basal level) before induction of diabetes. Fifteen mice were made diabetic by administering 150 mg/kg of alloxan dissolved in normal saline intraperitoneal (i.p.). The control mice were administered normal saline (i.p). During the experiment the animals were weighed and randomly selected into four experimental groups (n = 5). Control group: (Group A) and was given distilled water and normal rat chow. Experimental Group B (Diabetic control). Experimental Group C received 200 mg/kg of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract. Experimental Group D received 600 mg/kg of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract. Results in showed statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in blood glucose level between Group B compared to Group A, Group C and Group D.There was statistically significant difference in total protein, globulin, albumin, bilirubin, ALP, ALT and AST (P < 0.05) between Group A compared to Group C and Group D. There was also statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between Group B compared to Group C and Group D. Data suggest that Hibiscus sabdariffa extract is hepatoprotective.