ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaf on blood glucose level and liver enzymes of alloxan –induced diabetic rat. Study Design: The animals were grouped into six of 6 rats each. Groups A, B, C and E were induced diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate with a dose of 100mg/kg body weight. The extract was administered through gastric tube per kilogram body weight as follows: group A 200mg/kg, group B 150mg/kg, group C100mg/kg, group D none (normal control), group E none (untreated diabetic control) and group F150mg/kg (extract control). Methodology: Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture after fasting overnight and standard methods were used for the extraction of spices, determination of fasting blood glucose and liver enzymes. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Abia State University Uturu- Nigeria and the entire experiments lasted between December 2011 and July 2012. Result: The results showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the blood glucose level compared to untreated diabetic control. There was no significant (P<0.05) difference observed in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity compared to all the controls (normal, untreated and extract control) while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity decreased significantly (P<0.05) compared to untreated diabetic control. Conclusion: Therefore, this result revealed that aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaf possess anti-hyperglycemic properties with no side effect on selected liver enzymes compared to normal control and since the leaf did not show interference with functional integrity of the liver tissues it has a better potential for treatment of diabetes.