Biochemical evaluation of anti-hyperglycemic effects of petroleum ether extract of Meliponula ferruginea propolis in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Petroleum ether extract of Meliponula ferruginea propolis at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight was investigated for antihyperglcemic activity and its effect on some biochemical indices of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Twenty four albino rats were randomized into six groups (A-F) of four animals. Group A ( normal control) were treated orally with 0.5 ml of normal saline solution while animals in groups B, C, D, E and F were made diabetic with single injection of alloxan monohydrate (100 mg/kg body weight, p.i.). The fasting blood glucose of the alloxanized rats after 48 hours ranged from 130.05-139.05 mg/dl. The animals were thereafter treated with 0.5ml of paraffin oil, 2.5 mg/kg body weight glibenclamide, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, p.o. of the extract dissolved in paraffin oil respectively. During the seven days of treatment, the persistently high fasting blood glucose in the alloxanized rats treated with extracts progressively reduced. The progressive decrease compared favourably with the glibenclamide treated diabetic rats. The high serum activity of alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, aspartate transaminase as well as urea and creatinine levels in the diabetic control rats were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in all the extract treated diabetic treated rats. Also, the reduced serum concentration of albumin and bilirubin in the diabetic control rats significantly (p<0.05) increased in the animals treated with extract at all doses. However, there was no significant difference in the serum activity of alanine transaminase of the extract treated animals when compared with the diabetic control animals. The results suggest that petroleum ether extract of Meliponula ferruginea propolis possess anti-hyperglycemic activities and may not pose any deleterious to the biological systems.