Effects Of Mistletoe (Viscum Album) Extract On The Blood Glucose, Liver Enzymes, And Electrolytes Balance In Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats:- Atuoma, Chioma C

ABSTRACT The effect of aqueous extract of mistletoe on blood glucose, K+, Na+, protein, lipid metabolism, electrolytes, transaminase, phosphatase, and antioxidant activities of alloxan induced diabetic rats was investigated using their respective kits. Twenty male rats, weighing between 90 and 120 g of 100 mg/kg body weight. The rats were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 rats (non diabetic) received normal rat feeds comprising of clean water and group 1. Group 3 (diabetic) received 20% of the extract; group 4 (diabetic) received 40% of the extract while group 5 diabetic rats received 60% of the chloride, transminase and phosphatase activities of the diabetic animals (P 0.05), none of the concentrations of the extract administered significantly ameliorated the altered K+ and Na+ levels of the diabetic rats with respect to the non-diabetic control (P> 0.05) while 40% and 60% of the extract statistically ameliorated the altered bicarbonate levels of the diabetic animals with respect to the diabetic control (P<0.05). In addition, 60% of the extract was statistically most effective in ameliorating the altered body weights of the diabetic rats with respect to the diabetic control (P<0.05)The extract possessed antioxidant activity as seen from the total phenolic content, reducing power test and the ameliorating effect on the catalase activity of the diabetic animals. It can be deduced that mistletoe has antidiabetic potentials, in addition to ameliorating the altered protein, lipid metabolism, antioxidant status ad electrolyte balance arising from diabetic. Finally the dietary supplement may protect liver cells from free radical damage and could be effective in treating hepatoctye damage in diabetics Key words liver enzymes, electrolytes, alloxan, diabetes.