<b>THE EFFECTS OF QUERCETIN ON THE HEPATIC TISSUE AND FUNCTION ENZYMES IN STREPTOZOTOCIN (STZ)-NICOTINAMIDE INDUCED DIABETIC RATS.</b>

Background: Quercetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid that has been a nutritional supplement and is beneficial against a variety of diseases. Aim: This study was aimed at investigating the effects of quercetin on hepatic tissue in a streptozotocin – nicotinamide diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: 40 Wistar rats were used and were divided into 8 groups: (i): Control group(C), (ii) Diabetic group(D), (iii)Quercetin only group(20mg), (iv)Quercetin only group(50mg), (v)Diabetic treated quercetin group(20mg), (vi)Diabetic treated quercetin group(50mg), (vii) Metformin only group and (viii) Diabetic treated metformin group. After 8 weeks of oral administration, the Wistar rats were sacrificed and the liver was removed and fixed into formalin. The liver was processed and stained in Hematoxylin and Eosin. Results: Results showed that Quercetin significantly increased (P< 0.05) in the Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Glutathione (GSH), and decreased in the Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Aspartate transferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Gamma- glutamyl transferase (GGT). Normal liver morphology was seen in the control group as there was normal liver size, intactness of the central vein and portal triad. In the diabetic group, hepatocellular vesicular vacuolization and local fibrotic areas were seen among the hepatocytes as compared to the control group. Conclusion: These results showed that quercetin antagonizes the toxic effects of streptozotocin and improved the antioxidant and integrity of the liver and will prevent liver damage associated with diabetes.