Hepatotoxic and Antidiabetic Potentials of Aqeuous Bark Extracts of Ficus asperifolia on Normal and Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

Aim: The aim of this research was to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of aqueous bark extract of Ficus asperifolia on alloxan-induced diabetic rats and also to investigate its toxicity potential on the liver of albino rats.
Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria between June, 2011 and September, 2011.
Methodology: F. asperifolia bark was pulverized and percolated in distilled water. The mixture was filtered after 48 hours extraction using Whatman No 1 filter papers. The resulting filtrate was concentrated on a water bath and the concentrate used for the preparation of the doses used (i. e. 400mg, 800mg and 1200mg/Kg body weight). Alloxan- induced diabetic rats were treated with the different doses of the extract for 7 days and their fasting blood glucose concentration tested every day for 7days. The animals were sacrificed 24 hrs after the 7th day administration and their serum used for the analysis of Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, High Density Lipoprotein, Low Density Lipoprotein and Very Low Density Lipoprotein. Rats were also treated with the different doses for 1, 7 and 21 days. They were sacrificed 24 hours after the administration days. Their serum were collected and used for the analysis of Alanine Aminotransferase, Aspartate Aminotransferase, Total Cholesterol and Albumin.
Results: Administration of aqueous bark extract of F. asperifolia caused a significant reduction (P= .05) in blood glucose concentration in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Serum Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, Low Density Lipoprotein and Very Low Density Lipoprotein Concentrations were also significantly decreased (P= .05) in the diabetic rats while High Density Lipoprotein was significantly increased (P= .05). Liver marker enzymes Aspartate Aminotransferase and Alanine Aminotransferase serum activities and serum Total protein were significantly increased (P= .05) in the treated animals when compared to the control group. Serum albumin concentration also fluctuated significantly (P= .05) following extract administration.
Conclusion: Results available from this study shows that aqueous bark extract of F. asperifolia possesses antidiabetic properties but also possesses hepatotoxic effects at the doses tested.