The Antihyperglycemic, Hepatoprotective and Renoprotective Potentials of the Aqueous Extract of Costus lucanusianus on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Aim: This study sought to evaluate the effect of Costus lucanusianus on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Methodology: The effect of daily oral administration of aqueous extract of this plant on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was monitored for four weeks. Fasting blood glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were determined. In addition, total protein, creatinine and urea levels were also measured.

Results: The result showed that there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in the blood glucose level in diabetic rats when compared to the normal rats. However, the administration of the extract normalized the blood glucose. There was a significant increase (P<0.05) in the levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, creatinine and urea when compared to the normal rats. Nevertheless, the administration of aqueous extract of Costus lucanusianus decreased the activities of these marker enzymes.

Conclusion: These findings suggest the antihyperglycemic, hepatoprotective and renoprotective potentials of this plant which can make it suitable candidate in the management of diabetes mellitus.