In vivo Studies on the Phytotherapeutic and Fertility Effects of Dracaena Arborea Extract in Alloxan-induced Type 1 Diabetic Male Rats.

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study was designed to explore and exploit the phytotherapeutic and fertility effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Dracaena arborea in type-1 Alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The phytotherapeutic effects of Dracaena arborea on hematological parameters, appetite, spermiogram, histological architecture and histomorphometrics (stereology) of testicular and/or pancreatic tissues of treated and untreated rats were carried out. Place and Duration of Study Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Lagos State University, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, between October, 2012 and February, 2013. Methodology: 24 healthy normal male rats were recruited for this study. They were divided into four groups in a randomized trial; with group A consisting of non-diabetic healthy rats that received only the vehicle (0.5 mg/kg of 2% acacia solution); while group B, C & D was injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of Alloxan monohydrate (ALX) at 100 mg/kg prior to DAE treatment. Groups C and D were subsequently administered DAE orally 72 hours post administration of ALX, at daily doses of 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg respectively. Results: ALX (100 mg/kg) was found to induce type 1 diabetic conditions in the rats, demonstrated by the significant increase (P < 0.05) in the glucose levels, and a decline in appetite (water and food intakes). Conversely, administration of DAE at 100 and 300 mg/kg revealed significant dose and time- dependent increase (P < 0.05) in glucose tolerance and appetite (water and food intakes) in DAE treated groups compared to the untreated or ALX treated only group. Significant normalization (P < 0.05) of red blood cell count, packed cell volume and Hemoglobin levels were also observed in diabetic rats treated with the 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg DAE. In addition, testicular and pancreatic histopathological profiles of both DAE treated groups show evidences of appreciable normalization of ALX-induced pathology. Conclusion: Our findings indicates that DAE may offer great therapeutic benefit in the treatment of type-1 diabetes mellitus and normalizing testicular dysfunction or infertility in diabetic patients.