RESPONSE OF SOME HEPATIC CARBOHYDRATES METABOLIZING ENZYMES TO AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF CALOTROPIS PROCERA LEAF IN DIABETIC RAT

Diabetes mellitus is a global disease affecting mankind regardless of age, race, gender, economic status and geographical location. Diabetes mellitus is associated with biochemical complications such as alteration and fluctuation in enzyme activity. The response of some carbohydrates metabolizing enzymes to aqueous extract of Calotropis procera leaf in alloxanised rat was studied under standard conditions. In the present study, there was significant increase (p>0.05) in blood glucose level (21.80 – 22.70mmol/L) and activities of hexokinase (5.70unit/g tissue) and phosphofructokinase (17.00unit/g tissue) while activities of glucose-6-phosphatase (56.80unit/g tissue) and fructose-1,6-biphosphatase (6.60unit/g tissue) were significantly decreased (p>0.05) in alloxanised groups when compared to non-diabetic group. Administration of aqueous extract of Calotropis procera leaf lowered the high blood glucose level and reverted back the values of the enzymes back to normal in extract administered groups. The extract performance in terms of hypoglycaemic activity and reversion of enzyme activity back to normal was dose – dependent, with highest performance exhibited by 100 mg/kg dose of extract, this dosage (100 mg/kg) compared favourably in performance with metformin – a standard antidiabetic drug. From the present study, the 100 mg/kg dose of the extract can be used to correct diabetic complications and biochemical disorders associated with these enzymes.