Effect of Gongronema latifolium and Telfairia occidentalis Leaf Fractions on Hepato-renal Function of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

The effects of oral administration of methanol and ethyl acetate leaf fractions of Gongronema latifolium (GL) and Telfairia occidentalis (TO) on the liver and kidney functions of streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats were investigated. Fifty-four male rats were sorted into 9 groups of 6 animals each. Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg bw) was administered intra-peritoneally to induce diabetes in Groups II – IX. Groups I and II served as normal control (NC) and diabetic control (DC) respectively. Groups III, IV and V were treated with insulin (10 IU/kg), methanol and ethyl acetate fractions of GL respectively. Groups VI and VII were treated with methanol and ethyl acetate fractions of TO respectively while groups VIII and IX were treated with combined methanol and ethyl acetate fractions of GL and TO respectively. All fractions were administered at 500 mg/Kg bw for 28days. Biochemical parameters of liver and kidney and their respective histopathology were assessed. The result showed significant (p<0.05) increase in the AST, ALT, ALP activities, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations coupled with significant (p<0.05) decrease in the total protein and albumin concentrations in the DC group, when compared to the NC. However, the fraction treated groups showed significant (p<0.05) decreases in the AST, ALT, ALP activities and total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations with significant (p<0.05) increase in the total protein and albumin concentrations when compared to the DC group. The histological features of the fraction treated groups was evident with improved cyto-architecture of liver and kidney tissues compared to the atrophying areas of degenerated cells and micro-vesicular steatosis seen in the DC group. This study therefore demonstrate the ameliorative potential of Gongronema latifolium and Telfairia occidentalis methanol and ethylacetate fractions against diabetic-induced hepato-renal toxicity in Wistar rats.