HEPATOPROTECTIVE AND ANTIDYSLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITIES OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF GARCINIA KOLA LEAVES IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Garcinia kola is called a wonder plant in forklore medicine because every part of the plant has therapeutic value. This study aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective and antidyslipidemic activities of methanolic extract of Garcinia kola leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The animals were divided into seven groups of six animal each: vehicle; 100 mg/kg Garcinia kola leaf extract; 200 mg/kg Garcinia kola leaf extract; untreated diabetic group; treated diabetic group administered 100 mg/kg Garcinia kola leaf extract; treated diabetic group administered 200 mg/kg Garcinia kola leaf extract; and treated diabetic group administered glibenclaimide 0.5 mg/kg. Results for serum lipid profile showed a significant decrease in triglyceride, total cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol as well as a significant increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol in the extract treated diabetic groups compared to the untreated diabetic group. Similarly, a significant increase in the antioxidant activity of hepatic catalase as well as a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation were also observed in the extract treated diabetic rats compared to the untreated rats. Histopathological examination of the hepatic tissues of the extract treated diabetic rats showed active regeneration of the hepatocytes, well preserved architecture and the absence of lesions and necrosis compared to the untreated group which showed severe necrosis, inflammation and degeneration of hepatocytes. The extract showed better improvement in treating diabetes-induced dyslipidemia and liver damage compared with the standard antidiabetic drug, glibenclaimide. This study suggests that Garcinia kola leaves might be an effective phytotherapy for treating diabetes-induced