Responses of liver and pancreatic cells to ethanolic seed extract of Aframomum Melegueta in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Many traditional treatments have been recommended in the alternative system of medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Aframomum melegueta, a natural spicy and medicinal plant has been used traditionally in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was designed to evaluate scientifically the anti-diabetic activity of ethanolic seed extract of A. melegueta (Alligator pepper) in alloxan- induced diabetic rats. In doing so, the histopathology of the liver and pancreatic cells of the rats were studied. The animals were treated with the seed extract at doses of 200 and 400mg/kg and metformin (500mg/kg) the positive control orally daily for 7 days after induction of diabetes with Alloxan monohydrate (150mg/kg i.p). The results showed that the treated groups reduced blood glucose levels, reversed damaged liver cells and regenerated pancreatic β-cells than in the diabetic control group. Conclusively, the findings have shown that the seed extract may possess antioxidant, hypoglycemic and tissue protective properties thus supporting pharmacologically its folkloric use in the management of Diabetes Mellitus.