Therapeutic Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Garcinia Kola in Managing Hyperglycemia and Hepatic Dysfunction in Diabetic Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Objective: There has been an increase in age-standardized mortality rates from diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of the ethanol extract of Garcinia kola in managing hyperglycemia and organ damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic adult male albino rats.Material and Methods: A total of 25 adult male Wistar rats (120–230 g) were used in this study, randomly assigned to five groups, comprising five rats each. Group A served as the normal control, while Group B was the diabetic control. Diabetes was induced in Groups B, C, D, and E using a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 120 mg/kg body weight. Following induction, Groups C and D received oral doses of G. kola extract at 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively, whereas Group E was treated with glibenclamide at 5 mg/kg body weight. All treatments were administered once daily for 14 consecutive days.Results: The results demonstrated a statistically significant (p-value<0.05) reduction in glucose levels in the treated groups compared to the untreated diabetic control (Group B). Significant variations in body weight were also observed across the experimental groups. Groups C and D exhibited elevated serum liver enzymes and bilirubin levels relative to Group B. However, no statistically significant differences (p-value>0.05) were observed in kidney function parameters between Groups C and D.Conclusion: This study confirmed the anti-diabetic efficacy of G. kola and also established that exposure to G. kola may cause liver dysfunction.